Shloka 14
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
ततोडअर्जुनस्य भुजयोर्वीर्यमप्रतिमं भुवि । ज्ञात्वा वैकर्तनः कर्ण: संरब्ध: समयोधयत्
tato 'rjunasya bhujayor vīryam apratimaṃ bhuvi | jñātvā vaikartanaḥ karṇaḥ saṃrabdhaḥ samayodhayat ||
Noon, nang mapagtanto ni Karṇa—si Vaikartana, anak ng Araw—na sa ibabaw ng daigdig ay walang kapantay ang lakas ng mga bisig ni Arjuna, siya’y nag-alab sa matinding galit at sumabak sa labanan nang buong tatag.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a moral contrast: recognizing another’s superior prowess can lead either to humility and self-mastery or to anger and competitive escalation. Here, Karṇa’s reaction is rage-driven engagement, illustrating how pride and envy can intensify conflict and test dharmic restraint in battle.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Karṇa, after realizing Arjuna’s unmatched arm-strength on earth, becomes enraged and fights him with renewed intensity, signaling a heightened phase of their confrontation.