Shloka 7
जयद्रथ-निग्रहः — Jayadratha Restrained, Shamed, and Released
एवमुक्तस्तत: कर्णो राजानमिदमत्रवीत् । तवाद्य पृथिवीपाला वश्या: सर्वे नृपोत्तम
evam uktas tataḥ karṇo rājānam idam atravīt | tavādya pṛthivīpālā vaśyāḥ sarve nṛpottama ||
Ainsi apostrophé, Karṇa dit au roi ces paroles : «Aujourd’hui, ô le meilleur des rois, tous les souverains de la terre sont sous ton pouvoir.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political power seeks affirmation: a ruler’s dominance is praised as complete, and the implied next step is to consolidate that dominance through sanctioned ritual. Ethically, it invites reflection on whether external rites can truly legitimize power when the broader intentions are driven by rivalry and impending violence.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that, after being addressed, Karṇa responds to the king (Duryodhana) by declaring that all other rulers are presently under his sway—an encouraging, confidence-building statement that sets up further counsel about royal action and ceremonial display.