Shloka 773
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
कर्मत: शीलतो वापि स तच्छावयते युधि । रणभूमिमें जिसकी जो कुछ पिता-माता, कर्म अथवा शील-स्वभावके कारण विशेषता थी, वह युद्धस्थलमें उसको सुनाता था
karmataḥ śīlato vāpi sa tac chāvayate yudhi |
Sañjaya dit : Au cœur du combat, il le proclamait à haute voix—que ce fût par les actes ou par le caractère et la conduite. Quelle que fût l’excellence singulière qu’un homme eût reçue de son père et de sa mère, il la faisait connaître sur le champ de bataille.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A warrior’s standing is articulated through both karma (deeds) and śīla (character). Even amid violence, ethical evaluation persists: conduct and earned merit matter, while lineage is invoked as a social and moral frame for judging excellence.
Sañjaya describes how, during the fighting, a figure would publicly announce a warrior’s distinguishing qualities—attributed to parental lineage, personal deeds, or character—so that these merits were heard and recognized on the battlefield.