Shloka 306
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
प्रदिशध्व॑ यथान्यायं केन हंसा: पताम्यहम् | आज मैं तुमलोगोंके देखते-देखते जब इतनी उड़ानें भरूँगा
pradiśadhvaṁ yathānyāyaṁ kena haṁsāḥ patāmy aham |
काक उवाच—“प्रदिशध्वं यथान्यायं केन हंसाः पताम्यहम्। अद्य भवतां पश्यतां पश्यतां पुनः पुनर्वियदुत्पतिष्यामि; तदा मे बलं द्रक्ष्यथ। एतासु कासुचित् पतनक्रियासु अहं गगने पतितुं शक्नोमि। हंसाः! यथोचितं विचार्य ब्रूत—‘केन पतनेन अहं वियदुत्पतामि?’”
काक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between proper judgment (nyāya) and boastful self-assertion: one should act according to what is fitting and seek discerning counsel, rather than relying on prideful display of strength.
The crow addresses the swans and challenges them to decide which manner of flight he should demonstrate, claiming he will repeatedly soar before them so they may witness his power.