Shloka 40
श्रुत्वा कर्ण मुषितं धार्तराष्ट्र दीना: सर्वे भग्नदर्पा इवासन् | तां चावस्थां गमितं सूतपुत्र श्र॒त्वा पार्था जहृषु: काननस्था:,धृतराष्ट्रके पुत्रोंने जब यह सुना कि कर्णको (कवच और कुण्डलोंसे) वंचित कर दिया गया तो वे सब अत्यन्त दीन-से हो गये; उनका घमंड चूर-चूर-सा हो गया। वनमें रहनेवाले कुन्तीपुत्रोने जब सुना कि सूतपुत्र इस दशामें पहुँच गया है तब उन्हें बड़ा हर्ष हुआ
śrutvā karṇa muṣitaṃ dhārtarāṣṭrā dīnāḥ sarve bhagnadarpa ivāsan | tāṃ cāvasthāṃ gamitaṃ sūtaputra śrutvā pārthā jahṛṣuḥ kānanāsthāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Hearing that Karṇa had been deprived (of his armor and earrings), all the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra became despondent, as though their pride had been shattered. And when the Pāṇḍavas, dwelling in the forest, heard that the charioteer’s son had been brought to such a condition, they rejoiced greatly—revealing how shifts in fortune and the weakening of a feared rival can stir confidence and morale amid the long contest of dharma and power.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride and morale in conflict depend on perceived strength: when a formidable figure like Karṇa is weakened, the arrogant lose heart and opponents gain confidence. It implicitly cautions against darpa (hubris) and shows the volatility of worldly power.
News spreads that Karṇa has been deprived of his natural armor and earrings. The Kauravas (Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons) become disheartened, while the Pāṇḍavas, living in forest exile, feel joy and renewed hope upon hearing of Karṇa’s diminished advantage.