Shloka 36
हुत्वा शरीर संग्रामे कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम् । विजित्य च परानाजौ यश: प्राप्स्पामि केवलम्,अतः मैं अपने शरीरके साथ उत्पन्न हुए कवच-कुण्डल इन्द्रको देकर सनातन कीर्ति प्राप्त करूँगा। ब्राह्मणोंको विधिपूर्वक दान देकर, अत्यन्त दुष्कर पराक्रम करके समराम्निमें शरीरकी आहुति देकर तथा शत्रुओंको संग्राममें जीतकर मैं केवल सुयशका उपार्जन करूँगा
hutvā śarīraṃ saṅgrāme kṛtvā karma suduṣkaram | vijitya ca parān ājau yaśaḥ prāpsyāmi kevalam ||
Karna declares that he will offer up his very body in the battle, perform deeds of extreme difficulty, and, having conquered his foes in the fight, attain nothing but pure renown. In ethical tone, he frames self-sacrifice and heroic exertion—rather than personal gain—as the lasting reward he seeks, aligning his choice with the ideal of imperishable fame won through valor and giving.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates the ideal that a warrior’s highest pursuit is enduring honor (yaśas) earned through arduous duty and willingness to sacrifice—even one’s own body—rather than material reward.
Karna speaks in a resolute, vow-like tone, stating that he will undertake extremely difficult martial deeds, fight and defeat opponents, and accept bodily sacrifice in war, aiming to secure pure renown.