Shloka 21
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
भाषतो बहु काकस्य बलिन: पततां वरा: । इदमूचु: सम चक्राड़ा वच: काक॑ं विहड्भमा:
bhāṣato bahu kākasya balinaḥ patatāṃ varāḥ | idam ūcuḥ sama cakrāṅgā vacaḥ kākaṃ vihagottamāḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Mendengar gagak itu bercakap sambil berkakak-kakak tanpa henti, burung-burung cakrāṅga yang perkasa—yang terunggul antara burung-burung terbang—ketawa bersama-sama lalu berkata kepada gagak itu: “…” Adegan ini menonjolkan pertentangan moral: penegasan diri yang bising bukanlah kekuatan atau nilai sebenar; orang bijak membalas dengan menyingkap kosongnya kesombongan, bukan gentar olehnya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical distinction between loud, repetitive talk and genuine excellence: mere noise or bravado does not confer authority; the truly strong and discerning can recognize and challenge empty boasting.
A crow has been speaking loudly and at length. The powerful cakrāṅga-geese, described as the best among birds, hear him, laugh together, and then begin to reply to the crow.