Shloka 25
Jatāyu’s Resistance, Sītā’s Traces, Kabandha’s Release, and the Path to Sugrīva (Āraṇyaka-parva 263)
करेण च कर गृह कर्णस्य मुदितो भृशम् । कर्णोडपि भ्रातृसहितमित्युवाच नृपं मुदा,वह कर्णका हाथ अपने हाथमें लेकर अत्यन्त प्रसन्न हुआ। कर्णने भी भाइयोंसहित राजा दुर्योधनसे बड़े हर्षके साथ इस प्रकार कहा
kareṇa ca karaṃ gṛhya karṇasya mudito bhṛśam | karṇo 'pi bhrātṛ-sahitam ity uvāca nṛpaṃ mudā ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Taking Karṇa’s hand in his own, he became exceedingly delighted. Karṇa too, with his brothers beside him, spoke to King Duryodhana with great joy in this manner.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical force of loyalty and alliance-building: public gestures of trust (taking the hand) reinforce commitments and shape political-moral bonds, for good or ill, depending on the cause they serve.
Duryodhana (the king) warmly takes Karṇa’s hand, showing strong approval and closeness. Karṇa, accompanied by his brothers, responds joyfully and begins to speak—marking a moment of reaffirmed unity between them.