Shloka 14
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
ततोडअर्जुनस्य भुजयोर्वीर्यमप्रतिमं भुवि । ज्ञात्वा वैकर्तनः कर्ण: संरब्ध: समयोधयत्,तदनन्तर अर्जुनके बाहुबलकी इस पृथ्वीपर कहीं समता नहीं है, यह जानकर सूर्यपुत्र कर्ण अत्यन्त क्रोधपूर्वक जमकर युद्ध करने लगा
tato 'rjunasya bhujayor vīryam apratimaṃ bhuvi | jñātvā vaikartanaḥ karṇaḥ saṃrabdhaḥ samayodhayat ||
Then, realizing that on this earth Arjuna’s strength in his arms was without equal, Karṇa—son of the Sun and known as Vaikartana—became fiercely enraged and engaged him in a determined fight. The verse highlights how recognition of another’s excellence can provoke rivalry and wrath, intensifying the moral tension of combat where pride and anger contend with restraint and right conduct.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a moral contrast: recognizing another’s superior prowess can lead either to humility and self-mastery or to anger and competitive escalation. Here, Karṇa’s reaction is rage-driven engagement, illustrating how pride and envy can intensify conflict and test dharmic restraint in battle.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Karṇa, after realizing Arjuna’s unmatched arm-strength on earth, becomes enraged and fights him with renewed intensity, signaling a heightened phase of their confrontation.