Shloka 21
कर्णो हि समरे शक्तो जेतुं देवान् सवासवान्
karṇo hi samare śakto jetuṃ devān savāsavān
Sañjaya said: In battle, Karṇa is indeed capable of conquering even the gods—Indra along with them. The line underscores Karṇa’s formidable martial power as a factor in the moral and strategic calculus of war, where prowess can appear to rival even divine order.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary human prowess can seem to challenge even divine forces, prompting reflection on the ethical tension in war: strength and skill do not automatically confer righteousness, yet they heavily influence outcomes and decisions.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, emphasizes Karṇa’s battlefield capability—so great that he could defeat even the gods, including Indra—thereby stressing Karṇa’s importance as a decisive warrior in the unfolding conflict.