Shloka 316
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
प्राग्विरुद्धौ: शमं सद्धिः कथं वा क्रियते पुन: । मैं युद्धभूमिमें खड़े होनेपर समस्त पाण्डवोंको अवश्य मार डालूँगा। जो लोग पहले अपने विरोधी रहे हों, उनके साथ पुनः संधि कैसे की जा सकती है?
prāg-viruddhauḥ śamaṃ sandhiḥ kathaṃ vā kriyate punaḥ | mayā yuddha-bhūmau sthitena samastān pāṇḍavān avaśyaṃ mārayiṣyāmi | ye pūrvaṃ sva-virodhinaḥ, taiḥ saha punaḥ sandhiḥ kathaṃ kartum śakyate ||
Karna dit : «Comment faire la paix, ou conclure de nouveau un traité, avec ceux qui furent jadis nos adversaires ? Dès que je me tiendrai sur le champ de bataille, je tuerai à coup sûr tous les Pāṇḍava. Avec des hommes qui se sont déjà dressés contre nous, comment forger encore la réconciliation ?»
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension between reconciliation and entrenched hostility: when enmity has hardened into a warrior’s vow and identity, peace (śama) and treaty (sandhi) appear impossible. It also illustrates how personal resolve and past opposition can override diplomatic ethics.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Karna rejects the possibility of making peace with the Pāṇḍavas. He declares that once he takes his stand on the battlefield, he is determined to kill them, framing renewed alliance as unthinkable with former enemies.