Shloka 125
कर्णेन युधिष्ठिरानीकविदारणम् / Karṇa’s Breach of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Battle-Line
त्वयि मद्रेश राज्याशा जीविताशा तथैव च । विजयश्न तथैवाद्य कर्णसाचिव्यकारित:
tvayi madreśa rājya-āśā jīvita-āśā tathaiva ca | vijaya-āśā tathaivādya karṇa-sācivya-kāritaḥ, madra-rāja |
«Oh rey de Madra, en ti descansan mi esperanza de recobrar el reino y aun mi esperanza de conservar la vida. Y hoy, puesto que has asumido el oficio de auriga de Karṇa, también la esperanza de la victoria depende de ti: que esa victoria llegue a cumplirse por tu apoyo firme.»
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outcomes in war and politics hinge not only on personal valor but also on dependable support roles—counsel, alliance, and especially the charioteer’s steadiness. Ethically, it underscores responsibility: when others place their life-and-kingdom hopes in you, your conduct and loyalty carry grave consequences.
The speaker addresses the king of Madra (Śalya), emphasizing that his own survival, claim to rule, and the day’s victory depend on Śalya—because Śalya has taken up the crucial duty of serving as Karṇa’s charioteer, a role that can decisively influence the battle’s result.