Shloka 66
प्रदाने जीवितस्यापि न मे<त्रास्ति विचारणा । मैं मृत्युसे भी उतना नहीं डरता जितना झूठसे डरता हूँ। विशेषत: सदा समस्त सज्जन ब्राह्मगोंको उनके माँगनेपर अपने प्राण देनेमें भी मुझे कोई सोच-विचार नहीं हो सकता
pradāne jīvitasya api na me ’trāsti vicāraṇā |
“Bahkan bila harus memberikan nyawaku, di sini tak ada ruang bagiku untuk ragu. Aku lebih takut pada dusta daripada maut; maka bila brāhmaṇa yang mulia memohon, aku takkan menimbang-nimbang—nyawaku pun akan kuberikan.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Karna presents an ethic where truthfulness and integrity outweigh fear of death, and where the duty of giving (especially to worthy brāhmaṇas) is upheld so strongly that even one’s life may be offered without hesitation.
Speaking as Karna, the verse asserts his unwavering resolve in dāna: he claims he does not pause to reconsider even if the gift demanded is his own life, emphasizing his reputation for generosity and his commitment to avoiding falsehood.