Shloka 20
न निद्रामधिगच्छामि चिन्तयानो वृकोदर । अतिसर्वान् धनुग्राहान् सूतपुत्रस्य लाघवम्,वृकोदर! सूतपुत्र कर्णके हाथोंकी फुर्ती समस्त धनुर्धरोंसे बढ़-चढ़कर है। उसका स्मरण करके मुझे अच्छी तरह नींद नहीं आती है
na nidrām adhigacchāmi cintayāno vṛkodara | ati sarvān dhanugrāhān sūtaputrasya lāghavam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Wahai Vṛkodara, aku tak dapat meraih tidur; pikiranku terus memutar kelincahan putra Sūta itu. Kecekatan Karṇa melampaui semua pemanah; mengingat kegesitannya, istirahat pun tak datang kepadaku.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s mind must realistically assess threats and strengths; yet fixation and fear can erode inner steadiness. The verse highlights the ethical tension between prudent vigilance and anxiety that disturbs one’s peace.
In the forest-exile setting, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks to Bhīma, confessing that he cannot sleep because he keeps recalling Karṇa’s exceptional speed and skill in archery, which he judges superior to other bowmen.