Shloka 38
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
एकपाती च चक्राजड़: काक: पातशतेन च । पेतिवानथ चक्राड़: पेतिवानथ वायस:
ekapātī ca cakrāṅgaḥ kākaḥ pātaśatena ca | petivān atha cakrāṅgaḥ petivān atha vāyasaḥ ||
एकपाती च चक्राङ्गः, काकः पातशतेन च। पेतिवानथ चक्राङ्गः, पेतिवानथ वायसः॥
हंस उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steady, disciplined effort (a single continuous course) is superior to scattered, pride-driven exertion (many broken attempts). The verse contrasts composure and consistency with restless competitiveness.
A swan (cakrāṅga) and a crow compete and take off. The swan flies in one continuous, even flight, while the crow tries to match it through a hundred separate spurts—setting up a moral contrast between steadiness and frantic striving.