Shloka 14
Nārada’s Account of the Kaliṅga Svayaṃvara: Duryodhana’s Seizure and Karṇa’s Escort
तमन्वगाद् रथी खड््गी बद्धगोधाडुलित्रवान् | कर्ण: शस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठ: पृष्ठत: पुरुषर्षभ,पुरुषोतम! उस समय श्त्रधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ कर्ण रथपर आरूढ़ हो हाथमें दस्ताने बाँधे और तलवार लिये दुर्योधनके पीछे-पीछे चला
tam anvagād rathī khaḍgī baddha-godhāṅgulitravān | karṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ puruṣarṣabha puruṣottama ||
ナーラダは言った。「そのとき、武器を帯びる者の中で最も優れたカルナが後ろから従った。戦車に乗り、剣を手にし、腕当てと指の護りを固く締めて、ドゥルヨーダナの後を追ったのである。この場面は揺るがぬ忠誠と武の備えを示す一方、アダルマとなりうる大義に仕えることの倫理的緊張をも予兆している。」
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral complexity of loyalty: Karṇa’s exemplary martial discipline and steadfast following of his ally show commitment and readiness, yet invite reflection on whether devotion to a person should be subordinated to devotion to dharma.
Nārada narrates that Karṇa, fully armed and mounted on his chariot, proceeds behind Duryodhana, indicating that he is accompanying and supporting him in a tense, action-oriented moment.