Shloka 773
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
कर्मत: शीलतो वापि स तच्छावयते युधि । रणभूमिमें जिसकी जो कुछ पिता-माता, कर्म अथवा शील-स्वभावके कारण विशेषता थी, वह युद्धस्थलमें उसको सुनाता था
karmataḥ śīlato vāpi sa tac chāvayate yudhi |
Sañjaya said: In the midst of battle, he would proclaim it aloud—whether due to deeds or due to character and conduct—whatever distinctive excellence a man had inherited from his father and mother, he would make it known on the battlefield. The line underscores how, even in war, reputation is framed through both moral disposition and accumulated action, and how lineage and personal virtue are invoked to judge and inspire warriors.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A warrior’s standing is articulated through both karma (deeds) and śīla (character). Even amid violence, ethical evaluation persists: conduct and earned merit matter, while lineage is invoked as a social and moral frame for judging excellence.
Sañjaya describes how, during the fighting, a figure would publicly announce a warrior’s distinguishing qualities—attributed to parental lineage, personal deeds, or character—so that these merits were heard and recognized on the battlefield.