Shloka 143

Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)

Devanagari script

कार्तवीर्यसमं वीर्यें कर्ण राज्ञोडगमन्मन: । कर्ण युद्धमें इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी, मरुदगणोंके समान बलवान तथा कार्तवीर्य अर्जुनके समान शक्तिशाली था। राजा दुर्योधनका मन उसीकी ओर गया

Transliteration

kārtavīrya-samaṃ vīrye karṇa-rājño ’gaman manaḥ |

Translation

संजय म्हणाला—कर्ण पराक्रमात कार्तवीर्याच्या समान, रणात इंद्रतुल्य आणि बळात मरुद्गणांसारखा होता. त्याला पाहून राजा दुर्योधनाचे मन त्याच्याकडे वळले; त्याच्यावरच त्याची आशा व आधार स्थिर झाला.

Word by Word

• कार्तवीर्यसमम्: equal to Kartavirya
• कार्तवीर्यसमम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कार्तवीर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• वीर्ये: in valor/strength
• वीर्ये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• कर्णराज्ञः: of King Karna
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• उदगमत्: arose/went up
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + गम् (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd, Singular

• मनः: mind
• मनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Karna
• Duryodhana
• Kartavirya Arjuna
• Indra
• Maruts

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how leaders place trust in perceived strength and reputation; ethically, it invites reflection on whether reliance on sheer martial power aligns with dharma, or whether discernment and righteousness should guide one’s alliances and hopes.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Karṇa’s extraordinary prowess through exalted comparisons (Kārtavīrya, Indra, the Maruts) and notes that Duryodhana’s mind turns toward Karṇa—indicating Duryodhana’s growing dependence on Karṇa as a decisive support in the war.