Shloka 40
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
गन्धर्वर्घोषयात्रायां द्वियते यत् सुतस्तव । क्व तदा सूतपुत्रो5भूद् य इदानीं वृषायते,“घोषयात्राके समय जब गन्धर्वलोग तुम्हारे पुत्रको कैद करके लिये जा रहे थे, उस समय यह सूतपुत्र कहाँ था? जो इस समय साँड़की तरह डँकार रहा है
gandharvarghoṣayātrāyāṃ dviyate yat sutastava | kva tadā sūtaputro ’bhūd ya idānīṃ vṛṣāyate ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Lorsque, durant la ‘Ghoṣa-yātrā’ des Gandharva, ton fils était emmené captif, où se trouvait alors ce fils de cocher—celui-là même qui, aujourd’hui, beugle comme un taureau ?»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse criticizes empty bravado: true honor is measured by timely action and responsibility, not loud self-assertion after the fact. It also underscores ethical accountability—one who claims strength and loyalty should have stood firm when protection was actually needed.
A speaker recalls the earlier ‘Ghoṣa-yātrā’ incident where Duryodhana was seized by Gandharvas and taunts Karṇa (called ‘sūtaputra’) for not being effective then, even though he now speaks and postures aggressively like a bull.