Shloka 21
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 186 — Drupada’s Summons and the Pāñcāla Reception
सर्वान् नृपांस्तान् प्रसमीक्ष्य कर्णो धनुर्धराणां प्रवरो जगाम । उद्धृत्य तूर्ण धनुरुद्यतं तत् सज्यं चकाराशु युयोज बाणान्,उन सब राजाओंकी यह अवस्था देख धनुर्धारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ कर्ण उस धनुषके पास गया और तुरंत ही उसे उठाकर उसपर प्रत्यंचा चढ़ा दी तथा शीघ्र ही उस धनुषपर वे पाँचों बाण जोड़ दिये-
sarvān nṛpāṁs tān prasamīkṣya karṇo dhanurdharāṇāṁ pravaro jagāma | uddhṛtya tūrṇaṁ dhanurudyataṁ tat sajyaṁ cakārāśu yuyoja bāṇān |
Al ver el estado de todos aquellos reyes, Karṇa—el primero entre los arqueros—se acercó al arco. Con presteza lo alzó, al instante lo encordó y, con rapidez, colocó las flechas, mostrando su disposición y destreza ante los soberanos reunidos.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of competence and composure under public scrutiny: Karṇa responds to others’ inability not with hesitation but with decisive skill, emphasizing preparedness, confidence, and the pursuit of honor through mastery.
After observing the assembled kings and their situation, Karṇa approaches the bow, lifts it, strings it, and promptly fits the arrows—signaling that he is ready to perform the feat that others have struggled with.