Shloka 21
Draupadī’s Identification of the Pāṇḍavas and the Onset of the Chariot Engagement (द्रौपदी-पाण्डव-परिचयः)
तामहं ते विजेष्यामि एक एव न संशय: । सम्पश्यतु सुदुर्बुद्धिर्भीष्म: कुरुकुलाधम:
tām ahaṃ te vijeṣyāmi eka eva na saṃśayaḥ | sampaśyatu sudurbuddhir bhīṣmaḥ kurukulādhamaḥ ||
Karna berkata: “Aku akan menewaskannya untukmu—seorang diri; tiada keraguan. Biarlah Bhīṣma, si tumpul pertimbangan, aib wangsa Kuru itu, menyaksikannya.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how confidence in strength can slide into arrogance and adharma when expressed through contempt and abusive speech—especially toward elders. It implicitly contrasts valor with the ethical restraint (right speech, respect) expected in dharmic conduct.
Karna declares that he will defeat “her” single-handedly for the benefit of the person addressed (“you”), and he pointedly invites Bhishma to witness it, while insulting him as ill-minded and a disgrace to the Kuru line—signaling tension and rivalry within the Kuru camp.