Shloka 38
कर्णपरर्वणि त्रयोचत्वारिंशदध्यायः (Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 43) — Kṛṣṇa’s Battlefield Assessment and the Reversal Around Bhīma
आरट्टा नाम वाहीका वर्जनीया विपक्चिता । “वे जारज पुत्र उत्पन्न करनेवाले नीच आरट्ट नामक बाहीक सबका अन्न खाते और सभी पशुओंके दूध पीते हैं। अतः विद्वान् पुरुषको उन्हें दूरसे ही त्याग देना चाहिये” ।। ३७३ || हन्त शल्य विजानीहि हन्त भूयो ब्रवीमि ते
Āraṭṭā nāma vāhīkā varjanīyā vipakṣitāḥ | hanta śalya vijānīhi hanta bhūyo bravīmi te ||
Karna said: “There are people called the Āraṭṭas among the Vāhīkas; the wise should keep away from them. Come, Śalya—understand this; and come, I will tell you still more.” In context, Karna’s words function less as ethical instruction and more as a harsh, contemptuous provocation aimed at Śalya, using ethnic and social slurs to unsettle him on the eve of battle.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how speech can be weaponized in war: Karna uses contempt and stereotyping to provoke Śalya. Ethically, it serves as a negative example—showing how anger and pride lead to abusive speech rather than dharmic restraint.
During the Karṇa Parva, Karna addresses Śalya (his charioteer) and begins a tirade against the Vāhīkas/Āraṭṭas. The line ‘come, understand; I will say more’ signals Karna’s continued attempt to needle and dominate Śalya through harsh words.