Shloka 13
दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः
Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation
शोभनं शोभनं कर्ण सनाथ: कुरुपुड्गभव: । त्वया नाथेन राधेय वचसा यदि सिध्यति,“कर्ण! बहुत अच्छा, बहुत अच्छा! राधापुत्र! यदि बात बनानेसे ही कार्य सिद्ध हो जाय, तब तो तुम-जैसे सहायकको पाकर कुरुराज दुर्योधन सनाथ हो गये
śobhanaṃ śobhanaṃ karṇa sanāthaḥ kurupuṅgavaḥ | tvayā nāthena rāḍheya vacasā yadi sidhyati ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Cemerlang—cemerlang, wahai Karṇa! Dengan engkau sebagai pelindungnya, lembu jantan di antara kaum Kuru (Duryodhana) benar-benar bertunjang kuat. Jika sesuatu tugas dapat disempurnakan hanya dengan kata-kata dan kepetahan bicara, maka memiliki pembantu sepertimu akan menjadikannya sungguh aman.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts mere eloquence with effective action: if success came only from words, then Karṇa’s support would be enough to secure Duryodhana. Implicitly, it questions overconfidence in rhetoric and highlights the ethical demand for deeds aligned with dharma rather than boastful assurances.
Sañjaya comments on Karṇa’s role as Duryodhana’s chief supporter during the war. His praise (“excellent, excellent”) carries a pointed edge: he suggests that if outcomes depended only on persuasive speech, Duryodhana would be safe with Karṇa—implying that the grim realities of battle and fate cannot be solved by talk alone.