Shloka 37
चारुवेषधरं वीरं॑ चारुमौलिशिरोधरम् । तन्मुखं सूतपुत्रस्य पूर्णचन्द्रसमद्युति,सूतपुत्र कर्णका मुख पूर्ण चन्द्रमाके समान कान्तिमान् था। उसने मनोहर वेष धारण किया था। वह वीरोचित शोभासे सम्पन्न था। उसके मस्तक और कण्ठ भी मनोहर थे
cāruveṣadharaṁ vīraṁ cārumauḻiśirodharam | tanmukhaṁ sūtaputrasya pūrṇacandrasamadyuti ||
Śalya said: “That heroic son of a charioteer—Karna—appeared in a captivating attire, bearing a handsome head and noble carriage. His face shone with the radiance of the full moon.” In the midst of war, the verse underscores how outward splendor and martial dignity can coexist with the looming moral tragedy of fratricidal conflict.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the contrast between external brilliance (beauty, dignity, heroic bearing) and the grim ethical setting of war, reminding readers that splendor and valor do not by themselves resolve the deeper moral costs of conflict.
Śalya is describing Karna’s striking appearance—his handsome attire and moonlike radiance—within the battlefield context of the Karṇa Parva, where Śalya serves as Karna’s charioteer and speaks about him.