Shloka 38
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
दुर्योधनं निशान्ते च कर्णो वैकर्तनो<ब्रवीत् । स्मयन्निवाञ्जलिं कृत्वा पार्थिव हेतुमद् वच:,वह रात बीतनेपर सूर्यपुत्र कर्णने आकर राजा दुर्योधनसे हाथ जोड़ मुसकराते हुए यह युक्तियुक्त वचन कहा--
duryodhanaṃ niśānte ca karṇo vaikartano 'bravīt | smayann ivāñjaliṃ kṛtvā pārthiva hetumad vacaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: At daybreak, Karṇa, the son of the charioteer (Vaikartana), addressed King Duryodhana. Smiling, and with palms joined in respectful salutation, he spoke words that were reasoned and purposeful.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how counsel is often delivered with a blend of etiquette and intent: respectful gestures (añjali) and a pleasant demeanor (smiling) can accompany strategically motivated, reasoned advice (hetumad vacaḥ). It invites reflection on the ethics of persuasion—how form and motive interact in political speech.
At dawn, Karna approaches and addresses King Duryodhana. With a courteous salutation and a smile, he begins to present a calculated, reasoned proposal—setting up the next lines where his advice or plan will be stated.