Shloka 12
Chapter 61: Karṇa’s martial assurances and Bhīṣma’s strategic rebuttal in the Kuru assembly
“कर्ण! बाणासुर और भौमासुरका वध करनेवाले वे वसुदेवनन्दन भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण किरीटधारी अर्जुनकी रक्षा करते हैं, जो तेरे-जैसे तथा तुझसे भी प्रबल शत्रुओंका भयंकर संग्राममें विनाश कर सकते हैं” ।।
Karṇa uvāca: asaṁśayaṁ vṛṣṇipatir yathoktas tathā ca bhūyāṁś ca tato mahātmā | ahaṁ yad uktaḥ paruṣaṁ tu kiñcit pitāmahas tasya phalaṁ śṛṇotu ||
Karna said: “Without doubt, the lord of the Vṛṣṇis (Kṛṣṇa) is exactly as he has been described—indeed, even greater, a truly great-souled one. If I have spoken anything at all that was harsh, let the grandsire hear the consequence and import of that.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint in speech and accountability: even a formidable warrior like Karṇa acknowledges Kṛṣṇa’s greatness and signals that any harsh words spoken should be weighed for their consequences, especially before an elder like Bhīṣma.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Karṇa responds after discussion of Kṛṣṇa’s power and Arjuna’s protection. He affirms Kṛṣṇa’s supremacy and addresses Bhīṣma, indicating that if he has spoken sharply, Bhīṣma should hear and judge the outcome/meaning of those words.