Shloka 109
अध्याय १४८ — कर्णप्रभावः, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य विरथता, तथा घटोत्कच-आह्वानम्
Chapter 148: Karṇa’s Pressure, Dhṛṣṭadyumna Unhorsed, and the Summoning of Ghaṭotkaca
क्षत्रियप्रवरो लोके नित्यं शूराभिसत्कृत: । कि त्वस्य युध्यमानस्य संग्रामे क्षत्रियर्षभ:
kṣatriyapravaro loke nityaṁ śūrābhisatkṛtaḥ | ki tv asya yudhyamānasya saṅgrāme kṣatriyarṣabhaḥ
Sañjaya berkata: “Di dunia ia termasyhur sebagai ksatria terunggul, senantiasa dimuliakan di antara para pemberani. Namun, wahai banteng di antara ksatria, ketika ia bertempur di gelanggang perang, apa gerangan yang menimpanya?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of public honor and recognized valor, while also questioning how that reputation stands the test of real combat—implying that true worth is proven in action, not merely in acclaim.
Sañjaya, narrating the battlefield events, points to a warrior famed as a leading kṣatriya and continually honored among heroes, then raises a pointed question about his condition or outcome as he is actively fighting in the battle.