Shloka 18
Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)
कथं वैकर्तन: कर्णस्तत्रायुध्यत संजय । कथं च पाण्डवा: सर्वे युयुधुस्तत्र सूतजम्
sañjaya uvāca |
kathaṃ vaikartanaḥ karṇas tatrāyudhyata sañjaya |
kathaṃ ca pāṇḍavāḥ sarve yuyudhus tatra sūtajam, sañjaya ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Isalaysay mo sa akin, O Sañjaya: paano nakipaglaban doon si Karṇa Vaikartana? At paano nakipagdigma roon ang lahat ng Pāṇḍava laban kay Karṇa, ang anak ng tagapaghatid ng karwahe?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds how identity and social labels (Vaikartana, Sūtaja) frame perceptions in war, while the narrative focus remains on conduct and prowess in battle—inviting reflection on honor and judgment beyond birth-based epithets.
Sañjaya introduces a report of renewed fighting: he is asked to describe how Karṇa fought on the battlefield and how the Pāṇḍavas collectively engaged him when the battle resumed.