Shloka 23
Arjuna’s Approach, Drona’s Recognition, and the Turning of the Cattle (अर्जुनागमनम्, द्रोणवाक्यम्, गोगमनिवृत्तिः)
काम॑ गच्छन्तु कुरवो धनमादाय केवलम् | रथेषु वापि तिष्ठन्तो युद्ध पश्यन्तु मामकम्,कौरवोंकी इच्छा हो, तो वे केवल गोधन लेकर यहाँसे चले जायँ अथवा अपने रथोंपर बैठे रहकर अर्जुनके साथ मेरा युद्ध देखें
kāmaṁ gacchantu kuravo dhanam ādāya kevalam | ratheṣu vāpi tiṣṭhanto yuddhaṁ paśyantu māmakam ||
Karna menyatakan: “Jika para Kaurava menghendaki, mereka boleh sahaja mengambil harta berupa ternakan lembu lalu beredar dari sini; atau, tetap duduk di atas kereta masing-masing, tinggal menyaksikan pertempuranku dengan Arjuna.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of facing conflict openly: Karna offers a stark choice—withdraw with material gain or remain to witness a contest of courage—underscoring that honor and resolve, not merely spoils, define martial duty.
In the Virāṭa episode surrounding the cattle-raid, Karna speaks to the Kaurava side, asserting confidence and inviting them either to leave with the seized wealth or to stay on their chariots and watch his impending fight with Arjuna.