Shloka 18
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
आत्मप्रच्छादनार्थ वै बाहुवीर्यमुपाश्रित: । विप्ररूप॑ विधायेदं मन्ये मां प्रतियुध्यसे
ātmapracchādanārthaṃ vai bāhuvīryam upāśritaḥ | viprarūpaṃ vidhāyedam manye māṃ pratiyudhyase ||
“Aku percaya, demi menyembunyikan jati dirimu, engkau bersandar pada kekuatan lenganmu dan mengenakan samaran sebagai brahmana; dalam rupa terselubung itu engkau bertempur melawanku.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical tension in warfare: true identity and rightful role (dharma) matter, and disguising oneself—especially as a brahmin while relying on martial strength—raises questions about honesty, status, and the propriety of combat.
Karna addresses his opponent and accuses him of hiding his real identity. He claims the other has adopted a brahmin’s appearance to mask who he is, while actually relying on physical prowess to fight Karna.