Shloka 306
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
प्रदिशध्व॑ यथान्यायं केन हंसा: पताम्यहम् | आज मैं तुमलोगोंके देखते-देखते जब इतनी उड़ानें भरूँगा
pradiśadhvaṁ yathānyāyaṁ kena haṁsāḥ patāmy aham |
Gagak itu berkata: “Wahai para angsa! Putuskanlah menurut yang patut: dengan penerbangan yang mana aku harus melayang. Hari ini, di hadapan mata kalian, aku akan berkali-kali naik ke angkasa; saat itu kalian akan melihat kekuatanku. Dengan salah satu dari penerbangan ini pun aku sanggup terbang ke langit. Wahai angsa, setelah menimbang dengan semestinya, katakan: ‘Dengan penerbangan yang mana aku harus naik ke angkasa?’”
काक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between proper judgment (nyāya) and boastful self-assertion: one should act according to what is fitting and seek discerning counsel, rather than relying on prideful display of strength.
The crow addresses the swans and challenges them to decide which manner of flight he should demonstrate, claiming he will repeatedly soar before them so they may witness his power.