Shloka 24
Adhyāya 2: Nārada’s Disclosure—Karṇa’s Training and the Brahmin’s Curse (Śānti-parva)
येन विस्पर्थसे नित्यं यदर्थ घटसेडनिशम् । युध्यतस्तेन ते पाप भूमिश्षक्रं ग्रसिष्पति
yena visparthase nityaṁ yadartha ghaṭase 'niśam | yudhyatas tena te pāpa bhūmiḥ śakraṁ grasiṣyati ||
“पापी! जिससे तू सदा ईर्ष्या करता है और जिसे परास्त करने के लिए निरन्तर चेष्टा करता है—उसी से युद्ध करते समय पृथ्वी तेरे रथ के पहिये को निगल जाएगी।”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Relentless envy and hostile rivalry are adharma; they mature into a proportionate consequence. The verse frames downfall as karmic: the very struggle pursued out of jealousy becomes the setting of one’s humiliation and defeat.
Nārada delivers a sharp admonition/forewarning to a rivalrous, sinful person: when he fights the one he envies and tries to surpass, the earth will swallow his chariot wheel—an image of sudden immobilization and impending defeat in battle.