Shloka 23
भीष्मस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति कुलहितोपदेशः | Bhīṣma’s Counsel to Duryodhana on Dynastic Welfare
नते जातु न शिष्यन्ति पुत्रा: पजच यशस्विनि । निरर्जुना: सकर्णा वा सार्जुना वा हते मयि
na te jātu na śiṣyanti putrāḥ pañca yaśasvini | nirarjunāḥ sakarṇā vā sārjunā vā hate mayi ||
カルナは言った。「誉れ高き御方よ、そなたの五人の子がことごとく滅び去ることは決してない。もしアルジュナが討たれれば、五人の子はカルナとともに残る。もし我が討たれれば、五人の子はアルジュナとともに残る。」この言葉によってカルナは来たる争いに誓いの枠を与える。いかに戦が苛烈であろうとも、クンティの血筋が全滅することはなく、決着はアルジュナかカルナのいずれかの没落に帰し、パーンダヴァ全員の殲滅には至らぬのだ。
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid inevitable war, ethical restraint can be expressed through vows that limit harm. Karna’s statement functions as a moral boundary: he will not seek the total destruction of Kunti’s sons; the conflict is narrowed to a decisive rivalry (Karna vs. Arjuna) rather than indiscriminate annihilation.
In Udyoga Parva, during the pre-war negotiations and revelations, Karna speaks to Kunti. He reassures her that her five sons will not all perish: either Arjuna will fall and the remaining brothers will live with Karna, or Karna will fall and the brothers will live with Arjuna.