Shloka 7
दुर्योधनस्य कर्णप्रार्थना — कृपकर्णसंवादः
Duryodhana’s Appeal to Karna — The Kripa–Karna Dialogue
भयाद् यस्य महाबाहोरन शेते बहुला: समा: । चिन्तयन् नित्यशो वीर्य राधेयस्य महात्मन: । त॑ कथं सूतपुत्रं तु भीमोड्योधयताहवे,पहले जिस महाबाहु महामना राधानन्दन कर्णके बल-पराक्रमका नित्य चिन्तन करते हुए राजा युधिष्ठिर भयके मारे बहुत वर्षोतक नींद नहीं लेते थे, उसी सूतपुत्र कर्णके साथ भीमसेनने समरभूमिमें किस तरह युद्ध किया?
bhayād yasya mahābāhor na śete bahulāḥ samāḥ | cintayan nityaśo vīryaṃ rādheyasya mahātmanaḥ | taṃ kathaṃ sūtaputraṃ tu bhīmo ’yodhayatāhave ||
सञ्जय उवाच—भयाद् यस्य महाबाहोरन शेते बहुलाः समाः। चिन्तयन् नित्यशो वीर्यं राधेयस्य महात्मनः॥ तं कथं सूतपुत्रं तु भीमोऽयोधयताहवे॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how reputation and fear can weigh even on a righteous king, yet dharma in war demands that warriors still meet formidable opponents. It implicitly praises courage and resolve—facing a feared adversary is part of kṣatriya duty, not merely a test of strength but of steadiness of mind.
Sañjaya remarks on Karna’s terrifying renown: Yudhiṣṭhira had long been unable to sleep, constantly thinking of Karna’s prowess. Against that backdrop, Sañjaya asks in wonder how Bhīma managed to engage Karna in direct combat on the battlefield.