Shloka 72
तदेकवीरं तव चाहितं सदा त्वरस्व कर्ण सहसाभिमर्दितुम् | पुरा समर्थ: समुपैति सूतजो भिन्धि त्वमेनं नमुचिं यथा हरि:,“इसलिये सदा तुमसे शत्रुता रखनेवाले इस अद्वितीय वीर कर्णको सहसा कुचल डालनेके लिये तुम शीघ्रता करो। सूतपुत्र कर्ण शक्तिशाली होकर आक्रमण करे, इसके पहले ही तुम इसे उसी प्रकार मार डालो, जैसे इन्द्रने नमुचिका वध किया था”
tad ekavīraṃ tava cāhitaṃ sadā tvarasva karṇa sahasābhimarditum | purā samarthaḥ samupaiti sūtajo bhindhi tvam enaṃ namuciṃ yathā hariḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: «Por eso, date prisa en aplastar de inmediato a ese guerrero solitario e incomparable—Karṇa—que siempre ha sido tu enemigo. Antes de que el hijo del auriga recobre toda su fuerza y avance al ataque, derríbalo, como Hari (Indra) dio muerte a Namuci.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the pressure of war, a commander should not grant a dangerous opponent time to gather momentum; timely, decisive action is urged to avert greater harm. The verse frames this as practical counsel within kshatriya-duty, using a mythic precedent (Indra–Namuci) to justify swift preemption.
Sanjaya urges Karna to act immediately against a formidable adversary described as a unique, solitary hero and a constant enemy. He warns Karna to strike before the opponent becomes fully empowered and advances, comparing the desired outcome to Indra’s legendary slaying of the Asura Namuci.