Shloka 12
Adhyāya 5 (Śānti-parva): Nārada’s account of Karṇa—Jarāsandha encounter and the causal grounds of Karṇa’s fall
भीष्मावमानात् संख्यायां रथस्यार्धानुकीर्तनात् । शल्यात् तेजोवधाच्चापि वासुदेवनयेन च
bhīṣmāvamānāt saṅkhyāyāṃ rathasyārdhānukīrtanāt | śalyāt tejovadhāccāpi vāsudevanayena ca ||
ନାରଦ କହିଲେ—ଭୀଷ୍ମଙ୍କ ଅବମାନରୁ, ମହାରଥୀମାନଙ୍କ ଗଣନାରେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ପୁନଃପୁନଃ ‘ଅର୍ଧରଥୀ’ ବୋଲି ଉଲ୍ଲେଖ କରାଯିବାରୁ, ଶଲ୍ୟଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ତାଙ୍କ ତେଜ ଓ ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ କ୍ଷୟ କରିବା ଚେଷ୍ଟାରୁ, ଏବଂ ବାସୁଦେବ (କୃଷ୍ଣ)ଙ୍କ ନୀତିରୁ—ଏହି ଅନେକ କାରଣ ଏକତ୍ର ହୋଇ କର୍ଣ୍ଣ ପରାଜିତ ହେଲେ।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames defeat as multi-causal: social dishonor (avamāna), public ranking and reputation (saṅkhyā/anukīrtana), inner strength being eroded (tejo-vadha), and superior strategy (vāsudeva-naya). Ethically, it warns that pride, wounded honor, and hostile counsel can weaken even a powerful person, while wise policy can decisively shape outcomes.
Narada explains why Karna ultimately fell in the Kurukshetra war: Bhishma’s disparagement and repeated labeling as ‘half a ratha-warrior’ diminished his standing; Shalya’s conduct as charioteer worked against Karna’s morale and brilliance; and Krishna’s strategic interventions favored Karna’s opponents, collectively leading to Karna’s defeat.