Shloka 29
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य वार्ष्णेय शस्त्रयज्ञों भविष्यति । अस्य यज्ञस्य वेत्ता त्वं भविष्यसि जनार्दन,जनार्दन! वृष्णिनन्दन! अब दुर्योधनके यहाँ एक शस्त्र-यज्ञ होगा, जिसके साक्षी आप होंगे
dhārtarāṣṭrasya vārṣṇeya śastrayajño bhaviṣyati | asya yajñasya vettā tvaṃ bhaviṣyasi janārdana janārdana vṛṣṇinandana ||
Karna berkata: “Wahai Vārṣṇeya, bagi putra Dhṛtarāṣṭra akan berlangsung ‘yajña senjata’—yakni perang. Wahai Janārdana, engkaulah yang akan mengetahui makna yajña itu dan menjadi saksinya.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the metaphor of a yajña to portray war as a solemn, consequential act rather than mere violence. It highlights moral gravity and accountability: Kṛṣṇa, as the wise guide, is invoked as the one who understands the true nature and outcome of this ‘sacrifice,’ reminding readers that actions—especially war—carry ethical weight and far-reaching consequences.
Karna addresses Kṛṣṇa with multiple honorifics and declares that a great conflict will occur on behalf of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son (Duryodhana). He characterizes the impending battle as a ‘weapon-sacrifice’ and states that Kṛṣṇa will be the one who knows and bears witness to it—foreshadowing Kṛṣṇa’s central role as counselor and charioteer amid the coming war.