महाहें शयने वीरं स्पर्द्धयास्तरणसंवृते । शयानमतिविश्वस्तं ब्रह्मण्यं सत्यवादिनम्,ब्राह्मणभक्त और सत्यवादी वीर कर्ण अत्यन्त निश्चिन्त होकर एक सुन्दर बिछौनेवाली बहुमूल्य शय्यापर सोया था
vaiśampāyana uvāca | mahārhe śayane vīraṃ spardhayāstaraṇasaṃvṛte | śayānam ati-viśvastaṃ brahmaṇyaṃ satyavādinam ||
Sang pahlawan Karṇa, yang berbakti kepada para brāhmaṇa dan teguh berkata benar, tertidur lelap tanpa kewaspadaan di atas ranjang amat berharga yang tertutup hamparan indah.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights ethical qualities—truthfulness (satyavāda) and reverence for Brahmins (brahmaṇyatā)—while also implying that even the virtuous can become vulnerable when they are overly trusting and unguarded.
The narrator describes Karna lying asleep on an expensive, well-appointed bed, relaxed and unsuspecting, emphasizing both his noble reputation and his moment of unprotected ease.