Shloka 433
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
यो<सावुत्पतितो हंस: सो<सावेवं प्रहीयते । तब कौओंने हंसोंका अपमान करके इस प्रकार कहा--“वह जो हंस उड़ा था, वह तो इस प्रकार कौएसे पिछड़ता जा रहा है!”
yo 'sāv utpatito haṃsaḥ so 'sāv evaṃ prahīyate |
ฝูงกาดูหมิ่นหงส์แล้วกล่าวเยาะเย้ยว่า “หงส์ตัวที่บินขึ้นไปนั่นน่ะ ดูสิ มันกำลังตกเป็นฝ่ายตามหลังการาวกับนี้!”
हंस उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical fault of contemptuous speech: the crows use another’s apparent setback to insult and belittle. It cautions against prideful mockery and reminds that judging worth by momentary advantage is morally and intellectually shallow.
A swan that had taken flight is portrayed as being outstripped or left behind, and the crows seize this as an occasion to deride the swans. The line is framed as the crows’ taunt, emphasizing their act of disrespect.