Shloka 17
कर्ण–कृष्णसंवादः (Karṇa–Kṛṣṇa-saṃvādaḥ) — Karṇa’s Statement on Lineage, Loyalty, and the ‘Śastra-yajña’ Metaphor
तथैव भ्रातर: पञठ्च पाण्डवा: पुरुषर्षभा:
tathaiva bhrātaraḥ pañca pāṇḍavāḥ puruṣarṣabhāḥ
Demikian juga lima bersaudara—para Pāṇḍava—ialah ‘lembu jantan di antara manusia’, para lelaki unggul.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights exemplary human excellence expressed through the Pāṇḍavas’ collective identity as “foremost of men,” implying that true nobility is not merely individual prowess but also shared virtue and solidarity among brothers.
Vāyudeva, speaking within the Udyoga Parva context of rising tensions before the Kurukṣetra war, points to the five Pāṇḍava brothers and characterizes them as outstanding heroes, reinforcing their reputation and moral standing.