Karṇa-kuṇḍala-kavaca-jijñāsā; Kuntibhoja’s hospitality and Pṛthā’s appointment (कर्णकुण्डलकवचजिज्ञासा)
विषहां यं हि यो मेने स स तेन समेयिवान् । युयुधे युद्धवेलायां स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित:,जो जिसे अपने जोड़का समझता था, उसीके साथ उसकी भिड़न्त हुई। सबलोग युद्धके समय अपने बाहुबलका आश्रय ले शत्रुका सामना करते थे
viṣahāṃ yaṃ hi yo mene sa sa tena sameyivān | yuyudhe yuddhavelāyāṃ svabāhubalam āśritaḥ ||
Dijo Mārkaṇḍeya: Quien consideraba a otro su igual en destreza, con ese mismo adversario se trababa en combate. Llegada la hora de la batalla, cada cual, confiando en la fuerza de sus propios brazos, afrontaba al enemigo cara a cara.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of meeting one’s match directly and depending on one’s own strength and courage in the decisive moment, rather than on external supports.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a battle scene where each warrior ends up confronting the very opponent he considers his equal, and the fighting proceeds with each relying on personal arm-strength at the critical hour.