Shloka 17
न तु त्वामर्जुन: शक्त: कुण्डलाभ्यां समन्वितम् । विजेतुं युधि यद्यस्य स्वयमिन्द्र: सखा भवेत्,यदि तुम इन दोनों कुण्डलोंको धारण किये रहोगे, तो अर्जुन तुम्हें युद्धमें कदापि नहीं जीत सकते; भले ही साक्षात् इन्द्र भी उनकी सहायता करनेके लिये आ जायाँ
na tu tvām arjunaḥ śaktaḥ kuṇḍalābhyāṁ samanvitam | vijetuṁ yudhi yady asya svayam indraḥ sakhā bhavet ||
«Pero Arjuna no podrá vencerte en la batalla mientras sigas adornado con estos dos pendientes; aun si el propio Indra viniera como su aliado, seguirías siendo inconquistable».
सूर्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that certain divinely granted protections (here, the kundalas) can decisively shape outcomes beyond ordinary human effort, raising an ethical question: whether one should rely on inherited/boon-based invulnerability or accept vulnerability in service of a higher dharma.
Surya warns (in context, to Karna) that as long as he retains his kundalas, Arjuna cannot defeat him in battle—even with Indra’s direct support—emphasizing Karna’s extraordinary protection and the strategic stakes surrounding these divine ornaments.