Shloka 74
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
यत्र व्यस्ता: समस्ताश्ष निर्जिता: स्थ किरीटिना । शृगाला इव सिंहेन क्व ते वीर्यम भूत् तदा
yatra vyastāḥ samastāś ca nirjitāḥ sma kirīṭinā | śṛgālā iva siṁhena kva te vīryam abhūt tadā ||
Di sana, meskipun kamu berselerak dan juga berhimpun bersama, kamu tetap ditewaskan oleh Arjuna yang bermahkota—seperti sekawan serigala kecil dihalau seekor singa. Wahai Karṇa, di manakah keberanianmu ketika itu?
काक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse challenges empty claims of heroism: true vīrya is proven by conduct and outcomes, not by later boasting. It uses a sharp simile to expose the gap between self-image and demonstrated capability.
Kāka addresses Karṇa, recalling an earlier encounter where Arjuna (Kirīṭin) defeated them even when they were both dispersed and assembled. Kāka taunts Karṇa by asking where his prowess was at that moment.