Shloka 27
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
यथा च स्वगृहस्थ:ः श्वा व्याप्रं वनगतं भषेत् । तथा त्वं भषसे कर्ण नरव्याप्रं धनंजयम्
yathā ca svagṛhasthaḥ śvā vyāghraṁ vanagataṁ bhaṣet | tathā tvaṁ bhaṣase karṇa naravyāghraṁ dhanañjayam ||
Sanjaya berkata: “Wahai Karna! Seperti anjing yang duduk selamat di rumahnya lalu menyalak kepada harimau yang tinggal di rimba, demikian juga engkau sekadar menyalak kepada Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), harimau di antara manusia.” Kata-kata ini menempatkan bicara angkuh Karna sebagai keberanian kosong—bising dan garang—berlawanan dengan kuasa sebenar seorang pahlawan yang telah terbukti.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse criticizes loud, aggressive speech that lacks corresponding strength or achievement. True prowess is shown by deeds, not by barking threats; boasting at a superior opponent is portrayed as futile and ethically hollow within the warrior code.
Sanjaya reports and characterizes Karna’s speech as mere bluster directed at Arjuna. Using a sharp simile—house-dog barking at a forest-tiger—he elevates Arjuna as the ‘tiger among men’ and diminishes Karna’s taunts as empty intimidation.