Shloka 27
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
यथा च स्वगृहस्थ:ः श्वा व्याप्रं वनगतं भषेत् । तथा त्वं भषसे कर्ण नरव्याप्रं धनंजयम्,“कर्ण! जैसे अपने घरमें बैठा हुआ कोई कुत्ता वनमें रहनेवाले बाघकी ओर भूँके, उसी प्रकार तुम भी नरव्याप्र अर्जुनको लक्ष्य करके भूक रहे हो
yathā ca svagṛhasthaḥ śvā vyāghraṁ vanagataṁ bhaṣet | tathā tvaṁ bhaṣase karṇa naravyāghraṁ dhanañjayam ||
Sanjaya said: “Just as a dog, sitting secure in its own home, barks at a tiger that dwells in the forest, so too, O Karna, you are merely barking at Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), the tiger among men.” The remark frames Karna’s boastful speech as empty bravado, contrasting noisy aggression with the real, proven power of a true warrior.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse criticizes loud, aggressive speech that lacks corresponding strength or achievement. True prowess is shown by deeds, not by barking threats; boasting at a superior opponent is portrayed as futile and ethically hollow within the warrior code.
Sanjaya reports and characterizes Karna’s speech as mere bluster directed at Arjuna. Using a sharp simile—house-dog barking at a forest-tiger—he elevates Arjuna as the ‘tiger among men’ and diminishes Karna’s taunts as empty intimidation.