Shloka 33
अयं पुराण: श्लोको हि स्वयं गीतो विभावसो । धात्रा लोकेश्वर यथा कीर्तिरायुर्नरस्य ह,विभावसो! लोकेश्वर! साक्षात् ब्रह्माजीके द्वारा गाया हुआ यह प्राचीन श्लोक है कि कीर्ति मनुष्यकी आयु है
ayaṁ purāṇaḥ śloko hi svayaṁ gīto vibhāvaso | dhātrā lokeśvara yathā kīrtir āyur narasya ha ||
“O Vibhāvasu, O Lord of the world! This is an ancient verse, sung of itself (as a timeless truth). It was sung by the Creator: just as a man’s lifespan is measured in years, so his true ‘life’ in the world is his fame—his enduring reputation.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that a person’s enduring ‘life’ in society is not merely biological longevity but kīrti—earned reputation through righteous conduct and memorable deeds. Ethical action creates a legacy that outlasts the body.
Karna cites an old, authoritative saying—attributed to the Creator (Dhātṛ/Brahmā)—addressing Vibhāvasu (Agni) and invoking the ‘Lord of the world,’ to underscore the value of fame and lasting honor as a motivating principle in human action.