Shloka 14
Sundopasundayoḥ Tapas–Varadāna–Prasaṅgaḥ
Sunda and Upasunda: Austerities and the Boon
यावच्च राजा पाज्चाल्यो नोद्यमे कुरुते मन: । सह पुन्रैर्महावीर्यैस्तावद् विक्रम पार्थिव,पृथ्वीपते! जबतक पांचालनरेश अपने महा-पराक्रमी पुत्रोंके साथ हमारे ऊपर चढ़ाई करनेका विचार नहीं कर रहे हैं, तभीतक तुम अपना बल-विक्रम प्रकट कर लो
yāvac ca rājā pāñcālyo nodyame kurute manaḥ | saha putrair mahāvīryais tāvad vikrama pārthiva, pṛthvīpate ||
Karna disse: “Enquanto o rei dos Pāñcālas ainda não tiver voltado o pensamento para marchar contra nós com seus filhos de grande valor, tu, ó rei—senhor da terra—deves mostrar agora a tua força e bravura.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights pragmatic royal counsel: act decisively while the opponent has not yet formed the intention to attack. It frames valor (vikrama) as timely initiative in statecraft, where delay can invite greater danger.
Karna urges a king to demonstrate strength immediately, before the Panchala ruler (Drupada) and his powerful sons decide to launch an अभियान (military expedition) against them.