Shloka 38
कर्णपरर्वणि त्रयोचत्वारिंशदध्यायः (Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 43) — Kṛṣṇa’s Battlefield Assessment and the Reversal Around Bhīma
आरट्टा नाम वाहीका वर्जनीया विपक्चिता । “वे जारज पुत्र उत्पन्न करनेवाले नीच आरट्ट नामक बाहीक सबका अन्न खाते और सभी पशुओंके दूध पीते हैं। अतः विद्वान् पुरुषको उन्हें दूरसे ही त्याग देना चाहिये” ।।
Āraṭṭā nāma vāhīkā varjanīyā vipakṣitāḥ | hanta śalya vijānīhi hanta bhūyo bravīmi te ||
Karna disse: “Entre os Vāhīkas há gente chamada Āraṭṭas; o sábio deve manter-se afastado deles. Vem, Śalya—compreende isto; e vem, pois ainda te direi mais.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how speech can be weaponized in war: Karna uses contempt and stereotyping to provoke Śalya. Ethically, it serves as a negative example—showing how anger and pride lead to abusive speech rather than dharmic restraint.
During the Karṇa Parva, Karna addresses Śalya (his charioteer) and begins a tirade against the Vāhīkas/Āraṭṭas. The line ‘come, understand; I will say more’ signals Karna’s continued attempt to needle and dominate Śalya through harsh words.