Shloka 316
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
प्राग्विरुद्धौ: शमं सद्धिः कथं वा क्रियते पुन: । मैं युद्धभूमिमें खड़े होनेपर समस्त पाण्डवोंको अवश्य मार डालूँगा। जो लोग पहले अपने विरोधी रहे हों, उनके साथ पुनः संधि कैसे की जा सकती है?
prāg-viruddhauḥ śamaṃ sandhiḥ kathaṃ vā kriyate punaḥ | mayā yuddha-bhūmau sthitena samastān pāṇḍavān avaśyaṃ mārayiṣyāmi | ye pūrvaṃ sva-virodhinaḥ, taiḥ saha punaḥ sandhiḥ kathaṃ kartum śakyate ||
Karna said: “How can peace or a renewed treaty be made with those who were formerly our adversaries? Once I stand upon the battlefield, I will certainly slay all the Pāṇḍavas. With people who have already stood in opposition, how can reconciliation be forged again?”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension between reconciliation and entrenched hostility: when enmity has hardened into a warrior’s vow and identity, peace (śama) and treaty (sandhi) appear impossible. It also illustrates how personal resolve and past opposition can override diplomatic ethics.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Karna rejects the possibility of making peace with the Pāṇḍavas. He declares that once he takes his stand on the battlefield, he is determined to kill them, framing renewed alliance as unthinkable with former enemies.