Shloka 102
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
कौमारे यानि वृत्तानि विप्रियाणि विशाम्पते । तानि सर्वाणि चाप्येव रूक्षाण्यश्रावयद् भूशम्,प्रजापालक नरेश! कर्णने बाल्यावस्थामें जो अप्रिय वृत्तान्त घटित हुए थे, उन सबका उल्लेख करते हुए बहुत-सी रूखी बातें सुनायीं
kaumāre yāni vṛttāni vipriyāṇi viśāmpate | tāni sarvāṇi cāpyeva rūkṣāṇy aśrāvayad bhūśam prajā-pālaka nareśa ||
Sañjaya said: “O lord of the people, in speaking of Karṇa’s boyhood he recounted all those incidents from his youth that were painful and unwelcome, and, dwelling on them, he made many harsh and cutting remarks—wounding the listener by repeatedly bringing up what ought to have been handled with restraint.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of speech: repeatedly recalling another’s painful past and adding harsh words is portrayed as a morally questionable act, especially in a royal and dharmic setting where restraint and fairness are expected.
Sañjaya reports that, while speaking about Karṇa’s early life, the speaker brought up all the unpleasant childhood incidents and, emphasizing them, delivered many rough and hurtful remarks to the king’s hearing.