Shloka 50
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
अतिक्रम्य च चक्राड़: काक॑ तं समुदैक्षत
atikramya ca cakrāḍaḥ kākaṃ taṃ samudaikṣata
अतिक्रम्य च चक्राडः काकं तं समुदैक्षत । चक्रस्य प्रान्तमतिक्रम्य काकस्तं हंसं सम्यगैक्षत—यथा सीमोल्लङ्घनानन्तरं परं परीक्षते; अयं तु त्वरितकौतूहलस्य मर्यादातिक्रमस्य च दोषं सूचयति।
हंस उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse suggests an ethical warning: crossing a boundary (atikrama) out of impulsive curiosity can lead to moral or practical danger; careful discernment should precede stepping beyond established limits.
In a didactic exchange attributed to the swan (haṃsa), the crow is described as having crossed the wheel’s edge/boundary and then staring intently—portraying a moment of transgressive action followed by scrutiny, as if assessing consequences or seeking advantage.