Shloka 20
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
तच्छुत्वा प्राहसन् हंसा ये तत्रासन् समागता:,बहुत काँव-काँव करनेवाले उस कौएकी वह बात सुनकर वहाँ आये हुए वे पक्षियोंमें श्रेष्ठ आकाशचारी बलवान् चक्रांग हँस पड़े और कौएसे इस प्रकार बोले
tac chrutvā prāhasan haṃsā ye tatrāsan samāgatāḥ
Sañjaya berkata: Mendengar kata-kata itu, angsa-angsa yang berhimpun di situ pun meledak ketawa. Burung-burung perkasa yang merentas langit—yang terunggul antara yang bersayap—mengejek bualan bising gagak itu lalu menjawabnya sebagaimana patut.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical contrast between noisy self-assertion and genuine excellence: empty boasting invites ridicule, while true worth is recognized without clamorous display. It cautions against prideful speech and highlights the social consequences of arrogance.
Sañjaya narrates a brief episode in which swans, gathered together, hear the crow’s talk (described as loud and repetitive) and respond by laughing, setting up their forthcoming reply that rebukes the crow’s attitude.