Shloka 73
Jayadratha Approaches Draupadī in the Forest
Hospitality, Persuasion, and Reproach
भवतस्ते सहाया वै प्रेष्यतां पूर्वमागता: । पाण्डव शौर्यसम्पन्न, बलवान् तथा युद्धमें पीठ न दिखानेवाले हैं। वे आपके दास तो बहुत पहले ही हो चुके हैं, अतः उन्हें आपका सहायक होना ही चाहिये
bhavatas te sahāyā vai preṣyatāṃ pūrvam āgatāḥ | pāṇḍavāḥ śaurya-sampannā balavāṃs tathā yuddhe pīṭhaṃ na darśayanti | te bhavataḥ dāsāḥ tu bahu-pūrvam eva bhūtāḥ, ataḥ teṣāṃ bhavataḥ sahāyatvam eva kartavyam |
Dijo Karna: «Que se despache primero a esos aliados tuyos que han llegado antes. Los Pāṇḍavas están dotados de valor y fuerza, y en la guerra no vuelven la espalda. Puesto que desde hace mucho han quedado, por así decirlo, ligados a tu servicio, es justo que se mantengan como tu apoyo.»
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds pragmatic dharma in kingship: recognize proven valor and steadfastness in battle, and assign roles accordingly. It also frames support and service as obligations arising from prior bonds—loyalty is treated as a duty that should translate into concrete assistance.
Karna is giving counsel about mobilizing support: he urges that the allies who have already arrived be sent first, and he emphasizes the Pāṇḍavas’ strength and refusal to flee. He argues that, given their long-standing obligation of service, they should function as dependable supporters in the coming conflict.