Shloka 166
Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)
अप्यपश्यत राधेयं शीतार्ता इव भास्करम् | धृतराष्ट्रने पूछा--सूत! तत्पश्चात् दुर्योधनने क्या किया। मूर्खो! तुमलोगोंका मन जो वैकर्तन कर्णकी ओर गया था
apy apaśyata rādhēyaṁ śītārtā iva bhāskaram |
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Tumingin ba kayong lahat kay Rādheya (Karna) gaya ng mga nilalang na giniginaw na tumitingin sa araw?” Ipinahihiwatig ng linyang ito na sa gitna ng krisis ng labanan, ang pag-asa at pansin ng panig ng Kaurava ay napalingon kay Karna na parang iisang bukal ng ginhawa at lakas—na nagbubunyag ng pag-asa sa isang kampeon at ng tensiyong moral ng paghingi ng kanlungan sa hubad na lakas-militar sa halip na sa dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a simile to show how people in distress instinctively turn to what they believe can save them. Ethically, it highlights the difference between relying on sheer power (a heroic warrior) and relying on dharma; in crisis, attachment to a single strong protector can eclipse moral discernment.
Sañjaya, narrating the battlefield events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, points out that the Kaurava side’s gaze and expectation were fixed on Karna, as if he were the sun to those suffering from cold—implying that they saw him as their chief hope in the unfolding combat.