Shloka 126
Aśvatthāman’s Arrow-Screen and the Confrontation with Yudhiṣṭhira (द्रौणि–युधिष्ठिर-संग्रामः)
मामेकमभिसंयातौ सुजातं पश्य शल्य मे । शल्य! वे दोनों पुरुषसिंह एक साथ रथपर बैठकर एकमात्र मुझपर आक्रमण करनेवाले हैं। देखो, मेरा जन्म कितना उत्तम है?
mām ekam abhisamyātau sujātaṁ paśya śalya me | śalya! ve dvau puruṣasiṁhau eka-sātha rathopari baiṭhakar ekamātra mayi ākramaṇa-kartārau bhaviṣyataḥ | paśya, mama janma kīdṛśaṁ uttamam iti |
カルナは言った。「見よ、シャリヤよ――彼らは二人そろって、ただこの私一人に向かって進み出た。おおシャリヤ、獅子のごとき二人の勇士が、一つの戦車に並び座し、まさに私一人だけを狙って攻めかかろうとしている。見よ、かくも一対の強者が唯一の標的に選ぶとは、我が生まれがいかに高貴であることか。」
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-code psychology where honor is measured by the caliber of one’s opponents. Karna interprets being singled out by two great heroes as proof of his worth and ‘noble birth,’ revealing how pride and reputation can shape ethical self-understanding amid war.
In the Karṇa Parva battle context, Karna addresses his charioteer Śalya, pointing out that two formidable, lion-like warriors have advanced together on one chariot to attack him alone. Karna frames this as a sign of his exceptional stature and lineage.