Shloka 13
भीष्मस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति कुलहितोपदेशः | Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Duryodhana on Dynastic Welfare
मम प्राणेन ये शत्रूज्शक्ता: प्रतिसमासितुम् । मन्यन्ते ते कथं तेषामहं छिन्द्यां मनोरथम्
mama prāṇena ye śatrūñ śaktāḥ pratisamāsitum | manyante te kathaṃ teṣām ahaṃ chindyāṃ manoratham ||
Karna said: “Those who believe that, supported by my very life-breath and power, they are able to stand firm against the enemy—how could I shatter the hopes of such men?”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Karna frames loyalty as an ethical obligation: when others place their trust and courage in one’s protection, it is unrighteous to betray that reliance by abandoning them or destroying their hopes.
In Udyoga Parva, as war becomes imminent, Karna explains why he cannot withdraw or act against those aligned with him: many depend on his strength to face enemies, and he refuses to break their confidence and expectations.