Shloka 22
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
सिंहं केसरिणं क्रुद्धमतिक्रम्याभिनर्दसे । शृगाल इव मूढस्त्वं नूसिंहं कर्ण पाण्डवम्,“कर्ण! तुम मूर्ख हो; जैसे गीदड़ क्रोधमें भरे हुए केसरी सिंहका अनादर करके गर्जना करे, उसी प्रकार तुम भी मनुष्योंमें सिंहके समान पराक्रमी और क्रोधमें भरे हुए पाण्डुकुमार अर्जुनका लंघन करके गरज रहे हो
saṁjaya uvāca | siṁhaṁ kesariṇaṁ kruddham atikramyābhinardase | śṛgāla iva mūḍhas tvaṁ nṛsiṁhaṁ karṇa pāṇḍavam ||
Sañjaya said: “O Karṇa, you roar after overstepping a wrathful lion with a mane. Like a deluded jackal that insults a furious lion and then howls, so you too are boasting after disregarding the Pāṇḍava who is a ‘lion among men’—Arjuna—mighty in valor and blazing with anger.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condemns empty bravado and misjudgment in war: boasting after disregarding a truly formidable opponent is folly. Ethical valor is measured by discernment and restraint, not loud self-assertion.
Sañjaya addresses Karṇa, rebuking him for roaring with confidence while ignoring the danger posed by Arjuna. He uses a sharp simile: Karṇa is like a jackal howling after insulting an enraged lion.