Shloka 11
अजिशीर्षे प्रातःसंध्यायां संग्रामवर्णनम् / Dawn-Transition Battle at Ajiśīrṣa
Chapter 161
कर्ण उवाच शूरो5यं समरश्लाघी दुर्मतिश्न द्विजाधम: । आसादयतु मद्दीर्य मुज्चेमं कुरुसत्तम,कर्ण बोला--कुरुश्रेष्ठ! यह दुर्बुद्धि एवं नीच ब्राह्मण बड़ा शूरवीर बनता है और युद्धकी श्लाघा रखता है। तुम इसे छोड़ दो। आज यह मेरे पराक्रमका सामना करे
Karṇa uvāca: śūro ’yaṃ samarāślāghī durmatiś ca dvijādhamaḥ | āsādayatu madvīryaṃ muñcemaṃ kurusattama ||
Karna berkata: “Wahai yang terbaik antara kaum Kuru! Orang ini hanyalah pembual perang, si sesat, yang paling hina antara para Brahmana. Lepaskan dia. Hari ini biarlah dia berhadapan dengan keperkasaanku!”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-code emphasis on direct confrontation and personal valor, while also exposing how pride and contemptuous speech can distort dharma in wartime—Karna frames the encounter as a test of prowess, but does so through harsh social insult.
Karna addresses a leading Kuru ally as “best of the Kurus” and urges him to release the targeted opponent, declaring that the opponent should come face Karna’s own strength; Karna simultaneously belittles the opponent as a boastful and base Brahmin.