Shloka 2
कर्णो वा जयतां श्रेष्ठो योधा वा मामका युधि । कृपो वा कृतवर्मा वा द्रौणिर्द:शासनो5पि वा
karṇo vā jayatāṃ śreṣṭho yodhā vā māmakā yudhi | kṛpo vā kṛtavarmā vā drauṇir daśāsano 'pi vā ||
“Entah Karṇa—yang terbaik di antara para pemenang—atau siapa pun dari para kesatriaku di medan laga: Kṛpa, Kṛtavarmā, putra Droṇa (Aśvatthāmā), bahkan Duḥśāsana—(masing-masing siap bertempur).”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the martial ethos of the Kurukṣetra war: victory is associated with renowned champions, and the Kaurava side is presented as having multiple formidable fighters. Ethically, it reflects the war’s focus on prowess and duty (kṣatriya conduct), even as the larger epic questions the cost of such conflict.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lists leading Kaurava warriors—Karna, Kṛpa, Kṛtavarmā, Aśvatthāmā, and Duḥśāsana—emphasizing their readiness and strength in battle as the fighting continues in the Karṇa Parva.