Shloka 32
द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय १) — भीष्मनिधनानन्तरं धृतराष्ट्रस्य शोकः, सेनायाः स्थितिः, कर्णस्मरणं च
Droṇa Parva, Chapter 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s grief after Bhīṣma’s fall and the army’s reorientation toward Karṇa
कर्ण हि कुरवो<स्मार्षु: स हि देवव्रतोपम: । सर्वशस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठ रोचमानमिवातिथिम्,उस समय कौरवोंने कर्णका स्मरण किया। जैसे गृहस्थका मन अतिथिकी ओर तथा आपत्तिमें पड़े हुए मनुष्यका मन अपने मित्र या भाई-बन्धुकी ओर जाता है, उसी प्रकार कौरवोंका मन समस्त श्त्रधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ एवं तेजस्वी वीर कर्णकी ओर गया; क्योंकि वही भीष्मके समान पराक्रमी समझा जाता था। भारत! वहाँ सब राजा “कर्ण! कर्ण!” की पुकार करने लगे
karṇa hi kuravo 'smārṣuḥ sa hi devavrato'pamaḥ | sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ rocamānam ivātithim ||
Sañjaya said: Then the Kauravas thought of Karṇa, for he was deemed comparable to Devavrata (Bhīṣma). Their minds turned toward that radiant hero—foremost among all bearers of weapons—just as a householder’s attention goes to an arriving guest, or as a man in distress turns to a trusted friend or kinsman. There, the kings began to cry out again and again, “Karṇa! Karṇa!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In crisis, communities instinctively seek the person whose proven prowess and steadiness inspire confidence. The verse highlights how reputation (earned through past conduct) becomes a moral and strategic resource: the Kauravas’ dependence on Karṇa reflects the ethical weight of leadership and the expectation that the foremost warrior will shoulder responsibility when others falter.
After Bhīṣma’s fall and amid the pressure of battle, the Kaurava side turns its attention to Karṇa, viewing him as Bhīṣma’s equal in might. The assembled kings begin calling out his name, signaling their hope that Karṇa will take a decisive role in the unfolding conflict.