Shloka 41
Duryodhana-śibira-praveśaḥ — The Pāṇḍavas Enter the Kaurava Camp; The Burning of Arjuna’s Chariot
कर्णश्र निहतः संख्ये तव शीलानुवर्तक: । भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण बोले--गान्धारीनन्दन! तुमने पापके रास्तेपर पैर रखा था; इसीलिये तुम भाई
karṇaś ca nihataḥ saṅkhye tava śīlānuvartakaḥ | yācyamānaṃ mayā mūḍha pitryam aṃśaṃ na ditsasi ||
वायुरुवाच—कर्णोऽपि संख्ये निहतः, तव स्वभावमनुवर्तमाणः। त्वं च मूढः, मया याच्यमानोऽपि, पित्र्यमंशं यथान्यायं न दातुमैच्छः॥
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s moral choices shape outcomes: refusing a rightful paternal share and persisting in delusion (moha) leads to ruin, and even great allies like Karna fall when they align themselves with an unrighteous disposition.
Vāyu addresses a Kaurava figure in a reproachful tone, stating that Karna has been killed in the war because he followed the addressee’s character, and condemning the addressee for refusing—despite entreaty—to grant the legitimate paternal portion (inheritance/kingdom share).