Shloka 9
भीष्मस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति कुलहितोपदेशः | Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Duryodhana on Dynastic Welfare
कृष्णेन सहितात् को वै न व्यथेत धनंजयात् | कोउ्दय भीतं न मां विद्यात् पार्थानां समितिं गतम्
kṛṣṇena sahitāt ko vai na vyatheta dhanañjayāt | ka udyabhītaṁ na māṁ vidyāt pārthānāṁ samitiṁ gatam ||
«Qui donc ne serait pas ébranlé devant Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) lorsqu’il se tient aux côtés de Kṛṣṇa ? Et si, en cet instant, j’entrais dans l’assemblée des Pārtha, qui ne me croirait pas saisi par la peur ?»
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moral authority and strategic strength increase through righteous alliance—Arjuna’s power is intensified by Kṛṣṇa’s presence—while also showing how attachment to honor can compel a warrior to deny fear even when prudence would counsel caution.
As war becomes unavoidable, Karna reflects on the intimidating force of Arjuna supported by Kṛṣṇa. He then asserts that if he were to go among the Pāṇḍavas now, others would interpret it as fear—so he frames his stance in terms of maintaining his public image and martial resolve.