Shloka 19
Adhyāya 203 — Tilottamā-sṛṣṭiḥ
Creation and Commissioning of Tilottamā
तस्यामात्यो महाकर्णिरब॑ भूवैके श्वरस्तदा । स लब्धबलमात्मानं मन्यमानो5वमन्यते,उनके मन्त्रीका नाम था महाकर्णि। उन दिनों वही वहाँका एकमात्र राजा बन बैठा था। उसे सैनिक बल प्राप्त था, अतः अपनेको सबल मानकर राजाकी अवहेलना करता था
tasyāmātyo mahākarṇir abhūvaika-īśvaras tadā | sa labdha-balam ātmānaṁ manyamāno ’vamanyate ||
Allí, su ministro Mahākarṇi se convirtió entonces en el único gobernante. Al obtener fuerza militar, se creyó poderoso y, en su arrogancia, trató al rey con desprecio.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and military backing can tempt a subordinate into arrogance; when strength replaces humility and loyalty, rightful authority is undermined and adharma begins through contempt and disrespect.
Karna reports that the minister Mahākarṇi, empowered by acquired forces, set himself up as the sole ruler and began to slight the king, acting as though he were above the established sovereign.