Shloka 18
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १४० (कृष्णेन कर्णं प्रति पाण्डवबल-वैशिष्ट्यप्रदर्शनम्) / Udyoga Parva, Chapter 140
Krishna’s appraisal of Pandava advantage and war portents
यदि हाद्य न गच्छेयं द्वैरथं सव्यसाचिना । अकीर्ति: स्याद्धूषीकेश मम पार्थस्य चो भयो:,हृषीकेश! अब यदि मैं अर्जुनके साथ द्वैरथ युद्ध न करूँ तो यह मेरे और अर्जुन दोनोंके लिये अपयशकी बात होगी
yadi hādya na gaccheyaṃ dvairathaṃ savyasācinā | akīrtiḥ syād dhṛṣīkeśa mama pārthasya cobhayoḥ ||
यदि ह्यद्य न गच्छेयं द्वैरथं सव्यसाचिना । अकीर्तिः स्याद्धृषीकेश मम पार्थस्य चोभयोः ॥
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic that a warrior must not shrink from a duly expected challenge; avoiding the encounter is framed as akīrti (disgrace) affecting both opponents, because honor is maintained by meeting one’s martial duty and public responsibility.
Karna, addressing Kṛṣṇa as Hṛṣīkeśa, insists that he must proceed to a dvairatha (chariot-duel) with Arjuna; he argues that refusing or failing to go would bring dishonor to both himself and Arjuna.