Shloka 66
प्रदाने जीवितस्यापि न मे<त्रास्ति विचारणा । मैं मृत्युसे भी उतना नहीं डरता जितना झूठसे डरता हूँ। विशेषत: सदा समस्त सज्जन ब्राह्मगोंको उनके माँगनेपर अपने प्राण देनेमें भी मुझे कोई सोच-विचार नहीं हो सकता
pradāne jīvitasya api na me ’trāsti vicāraṇā |
Karna berkata: “Walaupun sampai harus mengurniakan nyawaku sendiri, tiada ruang bagiku untuk ragu di sini. Aku lebih takut kepada dusta daripada maut; maka jika para brāhmaṇa yang layak memohon, aku tidak dapat berfikir panjang—bahkan nyawaku pun harus kuberikan.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Karna presents an ethic where truthfulness and integrity outweigh fear of death, and where the duty of giving (especially to worthy brāhmaṇas) is upheld so strongly that even one’s life may be offered without hesitation.
Speaking as Karna, the verse asserts his unwavering resolve in dāna: he claims he does not pause to reconsider even if the gift demanded is his own life, emphasizing his reputation for generosity and his commitment to avoiding falsehood.