Shloka 63
स्वसेनया सम्प्रयान्तं नानुयान्ति सम पृष्ठतः । राजन! आप श्रेष्ठ नरेश हैं और अपनी सेनाके साथ वनमें पधारे हैं, ऐसी दशामें यहाँ रहनेवाले पाण्डव यदि आपके पीछे-पीछे न चलते--आपकी सहायता न करते तो यह उनके लिये अच्छी बात न होती
svasenayā samprayāntaṃ nānuyānti sama-pṛṣṭhataḥ | rājan! āpa śreṣṭha nareśa haiṃ aura apanī senā ke sātha vana meṃ padhāre haiṃ, aisī daśā meṃ yahāṃ rahanevāle pāṇḍava yadi āpake pīche-pīche na calte—āp kī sahāyatā na karte to yaha unake liye acchī bāta na hotī |
Karna says: “When a king advances with his own army, those who are behind him should not fail to follow in his rear. O King, you are an excellent ruler and have come into the forest with your forces; in such a situation, if the Pāṇḍavas dwelling here did not march behind you and render you assistance, it would not be proper for them.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Karna frames a norm of royal and martial conduct: when a rightful king advances with his army, those positioned to support him—especially allied or resident kṣatriyas—should follow and assist; failing to do so is ethically improper and politically disloyal.
Karna addresses a king who has come into the forest with troops and argues that the Pāṇḍavas living there ought to have followed behind and helped him; he presents their non-participation as unbecoming, thereby urging expectations of support and alignment.