Shloka 15

यावन्नायाति वार्ष्णेय: कर्षन्‌ यादववाहिनीम्‌ । राज्यार्थे पाण्डवेयानां पाड्चाल्यसदनं प्रति,इसके लिये तुम्हें तभीतक अवसर है, जबतक कि वृष्णिकुलनन्दन श्रीकृष्ण यदुवंशियोंकी सेना साथ लिये पाण्डवोंको राज्य दिलानेके उद्देश्यसे पांचालराजके घरपर नहीं आ जाते

yāvan nāyāti vārṣṇeyaḥ karṣan yādava-vāhinīm | rājyārthe pāṇḍaveyānāṃ pāñcālya-sadanaṃ prati ||

Karna said: “You still have time only until the Vārṣṇeya (Kṛṣṇa) arrives—drawing along the Yādava host—on his way to the Pāñcāla king’s residence, intent on securing the kingdom for the sons of Pāṇḍu.”

यावत्as long as / until
यावत्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयावत्
Formcorrelative adverb (limit: 'as long as')
not
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
Formnegation particle
आयातिcomes / arrives
आयाति:
TypeVerb
Rootआ + या
FormLat (present), parasmaipada, 3rd person, singular
वार्ष्णेयःVārṣṇeya (Krishna, descendant of Vṛṣṇi)
वार्ष्णेयः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootवार्ष्णेय
Formmasculine, nominative, singular
कर्षन्dragging / leading
कर्षन्:
TypeVerb
Rootकृष्
Formpresent active participle (śatṛ), masculine nominative singular
यादववाहिनीम्the Yādava army
यादववाहिनीम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootयादव-वाहिनी
Formfeminine, accusative, singular
राज्यार्थेfor the sake of the kingdom
राज्यार्थे:
TypeNoun
Rootराज्य-अर्थ
Formmasculine, locative, singular
पाण्डवेयानाम्of the Pāṇḍavas
पाण्डवेयानाम्:
TypeNoun
Rootपाण्डवेय
Formmasculine, genitive, plural
पाञ्चाल्यसदनम्the house/palace of the Pāñcāla (king)
पाञ्चाल्यसदनम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपाञ्चाल्य-सदन
Formneuter, accusative, singular
प्रतिtowards
प्रति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootप्रति
Formpreposition-like indeclinable governing accusative

कर्ण उवाच

K
Karna
K
Kṛṣṇa (Vārṣṇeya)
Y
Yādavas
P
Pāṇḍavas (Pāṇḍaveyas)
P
Pāñcāla (king/realm)
P
Pāñcāla king’s residence (Pāñcālya-sadana)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights the urgency of ethical and political decision-making: once Kṛṣṇa—an influential ally and strategist—arrives with support, the balance of power shifts, narrowing the window for alternative actions. It underscores how counsel, alliances, and timing shape outcomes in conflicts over rightful rule.

Karna is speaking strategically, indicating that there is only a limited opportunity before Kṛṣṇa comes with the Yādava forces to the Pāñcāla court, aiming to help the Pāṇḍavas regain their kingdom. The statement frames Kṛṣṇa’s impending arrival as a decisive turning point.