Shloka 11
अर्जुन-कर्ण-सङ्ग्रामः
Arjuna–Karna Engagement in the Cattle-Raid Aftermath
एकेन हि त्वया कर्ण कि नामेह कृतं पुरा । एकैकेन यथा तेषां भूमिपाला वशे कृता:
ekena hi tvayā karṇa kiṃ nāmeha kṛtaṃ purā | ekaikena yathā teṣāṃ bhūmipālā vaśe kṛtāḥ ||
Kripa said: “O Karna, what deed of prowess have you ever accomplished here in the past, all by yourself? For each of those Pandavas, going forth singly, brought the kings of various regions under his control—have you performed any such feat?”
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya ethic of earned reputation: true honor rests on demonstrable deeds—especially independent accomplishment—rather than mere claims or association. It also implies that leadership and legitimacy are tested through concrete acts of bringing order and allegiance among rulers.
Kṛpa addresses Karna in a confrontational tone, contrasting Karna’s record with the Pandavas’ earlier exploits, where each brother individually went out and subdued regional kings. The remark functions as a taunt and a challenge to Karna’s standing and credibility in the ongoing political-military tension.