वसूनां समलोकत्वं मरुतां वा समाप्रुयात् । सहितो द्रोणभीष्माभ्यां नाकलोकमवाप्रुयात्,“कर्ण द्रोणाचार्य और भीष्मजीके साथ वसुओं अथवा मरुद्गणोंके लोकमें जाय अथवा स्वर्गलोक ही प्राप्त करे”
vasūnāṃ samalokatvaṃ marutāṃ vā samāpruyāt | sahito droṇabhīṣmābhyāṃ nākalokam avāpruyāt ||
वसूनां समलोकत्वं मरुतां वा समाप्नुयात्। सहितो द्रोणभीष्माभ्यां नाकलोकमवाप्नुयात्॥
संजय उवाच
The verse presents the epic ideal that steadfast valor and fulfillment of kṣatriya-duty in battle can lead to exalted posthumous destinies. It also elevates Karṇa by placing his end in the same moral-cosmic frame as renowned elders like Droṇa and Bhīṣma.
Sañjaya, reporting events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, speaks of Karṇa’s destined attainment of divine/heavenly realms, describing him as going together with Droṇa and Bhīṣma to the worlds of the Vasus or Maruts, or to Svarga.