Shloka 85
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
देवासुरमनुष्येषु प्रख्यातौ यौ नरोत्तमौ । तौ मावमंस्था मौख्ख्यात् त्वं खद्योत इव रोचनौ
devāsura-manuṣyeṣu prakhyātau yau narottamau | tau māvamam̐sthā mauḍhyāt tvaṁ khadyota iva rocanau ||
Janganlah, karena kebodohan, engkau merendahkan dua insan utama yang termasyhur di kalangan dewa, asura, dan manusia; itu bagaikan kunang-kunang mencemooh matahari dan bulan yang bercahaya.
काक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns against arrogant contempt for truly eminent persons. One should cultivate discernment and humility: belittling the renowned and radiant is as absurd as a firefly scorning the sun and moon, and it leads to ethical and practical ruin.
Kāka addresses someone who is about to speak or act disrespectfully toward two universally celebrated heroes. Using the firefly-versus-sun-and-moon comparison, he cautions that such mockery is born of delusion and ignores their established greatness.