Shloka 126
Aśvatthāman’s Arrow-Screen and the Confrontation with Yudhiṣṭhira (द्रौणि–युधिष्ठिर-संग्रामः)
मामेकमभिसंयातौ सुजातं पश्य शल्य मे । शल्य! वे दोनों पुरुषसिंह एक साथ रथपर बैठकर एकमात्र मुझपर आक्रमण करनेवाले हैं। देखो, मेरा जन्म कितना उत्तम है?
mām ekam abhisamyātau sujātaṁ paśya śalya me | śalya! ve dvau puruṣasiṁhau eka-sātha rathopari baiṭhakar ekamātra mayi ākramaṇa-kartārau bhaviṣyataḥ | paśya, mama janma kīdṛśaṁ uttamam iti |
Karna berkata: “Lihatlah aku, wahai Śalya—kepada aku seorang sahaja mereka mara bersama-sama. Wahai Śalya, dua wira laksana singa itu, duduk bersama di atas sebuah kereta perang yang sama, sedang bersiap melancarkan serangan hanya terhadapku. Lihatlah, betapa mulianya kelahiranku, hingga sepasang seperti itu memilih aku sebagai sasaran tunggal.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-code psychology where honor is measured by the caliber of one’s opponents. Karna interprets being singled out by two great heroes as proof of his worth and ‘noble birth,’ revealing how pride and reputation can shape ethical self-understanding amid war.
In the Karṇa Parva battle context, Karna addresses his charioteer Śalya, pointing out that two formidable, lion-like warriors have advanced together on one chariot to attack him alone. Karna frames this as a sign of his exceptional stature and lineage.