Shloka 22
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
सिंहं केसरिणं क्रुद्धमतिक्रम्याभिनर्दसे । शृगाल इव मूढस्त्वं नूसिंहं कर्ण पाण्डवम्
saṁjaya uvāca | siṁhaṁ kesariṇaṁ kruddham atikramyābhinardase | śṛgāla iva mūḍhas tvaṁ nṛsiṁhaṁ karṇa pāṇḍavam ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Karṇa, engkau mengaum setelah melangkahi seekor singa berjanggut surai yang sedang murka. Seperti serigala yang sesat menghina singa yang berang lalu melolong, demikian juga engkau bermegah setelah mengabaikan Pāṇḍava yang ‘singa di antara manusia’—Arjuna—perkasa dalam keberanian dan menyala dengan amarah.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condemns empty bravado and misjudgment in war: boasting after disregarding a truly formidable opponent is folly. Ethical valor is measured by discernment and restraint, not loud self-assertion.
Sañjaya addresses Karṇa, rebuking him for roaring with confidence while ignoring the danger posed by Arjuna. He uses a sharp simile: Karṇa is like a jackal howling after insulting an enraged lion.