Shloka 11
Gaṅgā-tīra Udaka-kriyā and Kuntī’s Disclosure of Karṇa’s Maternity
Strī-parva, Adhyāya 27
योडवृणीत यश: शूर: प्राणैरपि सदा भुवि | कर्णस्य सत्यसंधस्य संग्रामेष्वपलायिन:
yoḍavṛṇīta yaśaḥ śūraḥ prāṇair api sadā bhuvi | karṇasya satyasaṃdhasya saṃgrāmeṣv apalāyinaḥ
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: Dia seorang wira yang sentiasa memilih kemasyhuran di bumi walaupun dengan taruhan nyawanya sendiri—itulah Karṇa, yang teguh pada kebenaran dan tidak pernah lari dari medan perang.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises the warrior-ethic of steadfastness: choosing honorable renown and keeping one’s truth/pledge even at the risk of life, and not abandoning the battlefield out of fear.
In the lament-filled context of the Strī Parva, Vaiśaṃpāyana recalls Karṇa’s character—his commitment to truth and his refusal to retreat in war—highlighting the stature of those who have fallen.