Shloka 40
श्रुत्वा कर्ण मुषितं धार्तराष्ट्र दीना: सर्वे भग्नदर्पा इवासन् | तां चावस्थां गमितं सूतपुत्र श्र॒त्वा पार्था जहृषु: काननस्था:,धृतराष्ट्रके पुत्रोंने जब यह सुना कि कर्णको (कवच और कुण्डलोंसे) वंचित कर दिया गया तो वे सब अत्यन्त दीन-से हो गये; उनका घमंड चूर-चूर-सा हो गया। वनमें रहनेवाले कुन्तीपुत्रोने जब सुना कि सूतपुत्र इस दशामें पहुँच गया है तब उन्हें बड़ा हर्ष हुआ
śrutvā karṇa muṣitaṃ dhārtarāṣṭrā dīnāḥ sarve bhagnadarpa ivāsan | tāṃ cāvasthāṃ gamitaṃ sūtaputra śrutvā pārthā jahṛṣuḥ kānanāsthāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Ao ouvirem que Karṇa fora privado (de sua armadura e de seus brincos), todos os filhos de Dhṛtarāṣṭra ficaram abatidos, como se o orgulho lhes tivesse sido despedaçado. E quando os Pārthas — os filhos de Kuntī, vivendo na floresta — souberam que o filho do cocheiro fora levado a tal condição, alegraram-se grandemente.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride and morale in conflict depend on perceived strength: when a formidable figure like Karṇa is weakened, the arrogant lose heart and opponents gain confidence. It implicitly cautions against darpa (hubris) and shows the volatility of worldly power.
News spreads that Karṇa has been deprived of his natural armor and earrings. The Kauravas (Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons) become disheartened, while the Pāṇḍavas, living in forest exile, feel joy and renewed hope upon hearing of Karṇa’s diminished advantage.