Shloka 14
Nārada’s Account of the Kaliṅga Svayaṃvara: Duryodhana’s Seizure and Karṇa’s Escort
तमन्वगाद् रथी खड््गी बद्धगोधाडुलित्रवान् | कर्ण: शस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठ: पृष्ठत: पुरुषर्षभ,पुरुषोतम! उस समय श्त्रधारियोंमें श्रेष्ठ कर्ण रथपर आरूढ़ हो हाथमें दस्ताने बाँधे और तलवार लिये दुर्योधनके पीछे-पीछे चला
tam anvagād rathī khaḍgī baddha-godhāṅgulitravān | karṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ puruṣarṣabha puruṣottama ||
Nārada berkata: Kemudian Karṇa—yang terunggul antara para pemegang senjata—mengikuti dari belakang. Berada di atas keretanya, dengan pedang di tangan serta pelindung lengan dan pelindung jari terikat kemas, dia mengejar Duryodhana. Adegan ini menonjolkan kesetiaan yang teguh dan kesiapsiagaan perang, namun juga membayangkan ketegangan etika apabila berkhidmat kepada suatu tujuan yang mungkin adharma.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral complexity of loyalty: Karṇa’s exemplary martial discipline and steadfast following of his ally show commitment and readiness, yet invite reflection on whether devotion to a person should be subordinated to devotion to dharma.
Nārada narrates that Karṇa, fully armed and mounted on his chariot, proceeds behind Duryodhana, indicating that he is accompanying and supporting him in a tense, action-oriented moment.