Shloka 28
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
शृगालो5पि वने कर्ण शशै: परिवृतो वसन् | मन्यते सिंहमात्मानं यावत् सिंहं न पश्यति,“कर्ण! वनमें खरगोशोंके साथ रहनेवाला गीदड़ भी जबतक सिंहको नहीं देखता, तबतक अपनेको सिंह ही मानता रहता है
śṛgālo 'pi vane karṇa śaśaiḥ parivṛto vasan | manyate siṃham ātmānaṃ yāvat siṃhaṃ na paśyati ||
Sanjaya berkata: “Wahai Karṇa, bahkan serigala hutan yang tinggal di rimba, dikelilingi arnab, menyangka dirinya singa—selagi belum melihat singa yang sebenar.” Pepatah ini mengingatkan bahawa keyakinan palsu subur apabila tiada ukuran sejati tentang kekuatan dan kebajikan; apabila kuasa yang tulen muncul, kepura-puraan pun tersingkap.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Confidence based on weak company or lack of challenge becomes delusion; true worth is tested when one meets a genuinely powerful and noble opponent. The verse cautions against pride and urges realistic self-assessment.
Sañjaya addresses Karṇa with a sharp proverb: like a jackal among hares thinking itself a lion until it encounters a real lion, a warrior may overestimate himself until faced with a truly formidable adversary. It functions as a warning within the war narrative.