Shloka 216
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
स्थितो<स्म्यद्य रणे जेतुं त्वां वै वीर स्थिरो भव । मैं तो सम्पूर्ण शस्त्रधारियोंमें उत्तम और योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ एक ब्राह्मण हूँ। गुरुका उपदेश पाकर ब्रह्मास्त्र तथा इन्द्रास्त्र दोनोंमें पारंगत हो गया हूँ। वीर! आज मैं तुम्हें युद्धमें जीतनेके लिये खड़ा हूँ, तुम भी स्थिरतापूर्वक खड़े रहो
sthito 'smy adya raṇe jetuṃ tvāṃ vai vīra sthiro bhava |
Karna said: “Today I stand firm on the battlefield to defeat you. O hero, stand your ground with steadiness.” In this challenge, Karna frames combat as a test of resolve and martial discipline: victory is sought through unwavering courage and trained skill, not wavering or fear. The surrounding prose in the received Gita Press passage further heightens his self-assertion—claiming mastery of divine missiles through a teacher’s instruction—underscoring the epic tension between acquired power, rightful conduct, and the ethics of rivalry in war.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfastness (sthairya) is presented as the essential warrior virtue: one should face conflict with firm resolve and disciplined courage, without wavering, even when the outcome is uncertain.
Karna openly challenges his opponent, declaring that he has taken his position in battle to win and urging the other warrior to stand firm as well—setting the tone for a direct martial confrontation.