Shloka 16
Draupadī’s Identification of the Pāṇḍavas and the Onset of the Chariot Engagement (द्रौपदी-पाण्डव-परिचयः)
कर्ण उवाच दुर्योधन निबोधेदं यत् त्वां वक्ष्यामि कौरव । भीष्मो<स्मान् निन्दति सदा पाण्डवांश्व प्रशंसति,कर्ण बोला--कुरुकुलरत्न दुर्योधन! मैं तुमसे जो कुछ कह रहा हूँ, उसपर ध्यान दो। भीष्म सदा हमारी निन्दा और पाण्डवोंकी प्रशंसा करते रहते हैं
karṇa uvāca
duryodhana nibodhedaṁ yat tvāṁ vakṣyāmi kaurava | bhīṣmo 'smān nindati sadā pāṇḍavāṁś ca praśaṁsati ||
Karna berkata: “Duryodhana, wahai Kaurava, dengarkanlah apa yang akan kukatakan. Bhīṣma sentiasa mencela kita dan pada masa yang sama memuji para Pāṇḍava.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how perceived bias and constant criticism within one’s own camp can inflame resentment and distort judgment. Ethically, it warns that leaders should discern counsel carefully—distinguishing principled critique from partisan grievance—so that anger and insecurity do not drive decisions against dharma.
Karna addresses Duryodhana directly, urging him to listen. He complains that Bhishma repeatedly disparages the Kauravas while praising the Pandavas, framing Bhishma as unsupportive and thereby intensifying internal tension among the Kaurava allies.