Shloka 17
एवं विद्वान् धर्मकथासु राजं- स्तृष्णी भूतो जडवच्छल्य भूय: । त्वं तस्य गोप्ता च जनस्य राजा षड्भागहर्ता शुभदुष्कृतस्य,राजा शल्य! ऐसा जानकर तुम जड पुरुषोंके समान धर्मोपदेशकी ओरसे मुँह मोड़कर चुपचाप बैठे रहो। तुम बाहीक देशके लोगोंके राजा और रक्षक हो; अतः उनके पुण्य और पापका भी छठा भाग ग्रहण करते हो
evaṁ vidvān dharmakathāsu rājaṁs tṛṣṇī-bhūto jaḍavac chalya bhūyaḥ | tvaṁ tasya goptā ca janasya rājā ṣaḍ-bhāga-hartā śubha-duṣkṛtasya ||
Disse Karna: “Embora saibas disso, ó rei, nas conversas sobre o dharma voltas a sentar-te em silêncio, desviando o rosto como um homem obtuso, ó Śalya. Tu és o rei e protetor desse povo; por isso também tomas a sexta parte do seu mérito e do seu pecado.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king is ethically accountable for his realm: by receiving taxes/royal share, he also receives a corresponding share (traditionally one-sixth) of the subjects’ merit and demerit. Therefore, a ruler should not remain indifferent or silent when dharma is at stake.
In the war setting of the Karna Parva, Karna addresses Shalya sharply, reproaching him for staying silent in dharma-related counsel. Karna reminds Shalya of his royal duty as protector and the moral consequences tied to kingship.