Shloka 17
अद्य कुन्तीसुतो राजा हते सूतसुते मया । सुप्रहृष्टमना: प्रीतश्चिरं सुखमवाप्स्यति,“आज दुन्तीपुत्र राजा युधिष्ठिर मेरे द्वारा सूतपुत्र कर्णके मारे जानेपर प्रसन्नचित्त हो दीर्घकालके लिये संतुष्ट एवं सुखी हो जायँगे
adya kuntīsuto rājā hate sūtasute mayā | suprahṛṣṭamanāḥ prītaś ciraṃ sukham avāpsyati ||
Sañjaya said: “Today, when the king—Kuntī’s son—has seen the charioteer’s son slain by me, he will become exceedingly glad at heart; satisfied and delighted, he will enjoy happiness for a long time.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension of war: even a righteous king may feel relief and anticipated peace when a formidable enemy falls, yet the framing of Karṇa as “sūta’s son” also points to how social labels shape perception amid ethical conflict.
Sañjaya reports that with Karṇa (called the sūta’s son) slain, Yudhiṣṭhira—Kuntī’s son and the Pāṇḍava king—will be greatly pleased and expects lasting happiness, reflecting the strategic and emotional impact of Karṇa’s death in the war.