Shloka 8
Arjuna’s Approach, Drona’s Recognition, and the Turning of the Cattle (अर्जुनागमनम्, द्रोणवाक्यम्, गोगमनिवृत्तिः)
एष चैव महेष्वासस्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्ुत: । अहं चापि नरश्रेष्ठादर्जुनान्नावर: क्वचित्,यह तीनों लोकोंमें महान् धनुर्थरके रूपमें विख्यात है और मैं भी नरश्रेष्ठ अर्जुनसे किसी बातमें कम नहीं हूँ
eṣa caiva maheṣvāsaḥ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ | ahaṃ cāpi naraśreṣṭhād arjunān nāvaraḥ kvacit ||
കർണ്ണൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ഇവൻ മഹാധനുര്ധരൻ; മൂന്നു ലോകങ്ങളിലും പ്രസിദ്ധൻ. ഞാനും നരശ്രേഷ്ഠനായ അർജുനനേക്കാൾ യാതൊന്നിലും താഴ്ന്നവൻ അല്ല.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how self-assertion and the pursuit of fame can shape moral choices: Karna measures worth through reputation and martial comparison, revealing the pride and rivalry that intensify adharma-prone conflict.
Karna speaks in a competitive tone, praising a certain renowned archer and then declaring that he himself is never inferior to Arjuna, reinforcing the ongoing tension and rivalry between the two great warriors.