Shloka 55
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
ते शच्यर्थ महेन्द्रेण याचित: स परंतप: । अमोघया महाराज शकक््त्या परमभीमया
te śacy-arthaṃ mahendreṇa yācitaḥ sa parantapaḥ | amoghayā mahārāja śaktyā paramabhīmayā ||
Dijo Duryodhana: «Por causa de Śacī, Mahendra (Indra) suplicó a aquel héroe que abrasa a los enemigos, Karṇa, su par de pendientes. ¡Oh rey! Karṇa entregó esos pendientes a cambio de una lanza-arma infalible, terriblemente espantosa.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between generosity and strategic consequence: Karna’s famed readiness to give (even when asked by a god) becomes entangled with the realities of war, where gifts and boons can decisively shape fate.
Indra, seeking protection for his son Arjuna, approaches Karna and asks for Karna’s earrings (and, by broader context, his natural armor). Karna gives them, but receives in return an unfailing, terrifying spear-weapon (śakti), which later becomes pivotal in the war.