Shloka 4
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 19 — Saṃśaptaka–Trigarta Assault and Aindra-astra Counter
यो ह्ाक्षिपति वीर्येण सवनितान् महारथान् | न मेने चात्मना तुल्यं कंचिदेव नरेश्वरम्
sañjaya uvāca | yo hy ākṣipati vīryeṇa savanitān mahārathān | na mene cātmanā tulyaṃ kaṃcid eva nareśvaram ||
Sañjaya disse: “Ele que, pela pura força do seu valor, punha de lado até os mais eminentes maharathis como se fossem insignificantes, e não considerava rei algum igual a si.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between heroic confidence and overweening pride: martial excellence (vīrya) can inspire greatness, yet the refusal to acknowledge equals can become a moral fault that fuels conflict and downfall.
Sañjaya describes a warrior of extraordinary self-regard—one who dismisses even great chariot-fighters and recognizes no king as his equal—setting the tone for the ensuing clash driven by wounded honor and competitive valor.