Shloka 35
Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)
कर्ण उवाच अद्य राजन् समेष्यामि पाण्डवेन यशस्विना । निहनिष्यामि तं वीरं स वा मां निहनिष्यति
karṇa uvāca: adya rājan sameṣyāmi pāṇḍavena yaśasvinā | nihaniṣyāmi taṃ vīraṃ sa vā māṃ nihaniṣyati ||
Sinabi ni Karṇa: “O Hari, ngayong araw ay haharap ako sa labanan sa tanyag na Pāṇḍava (Arjuna). Alinman, ako ang papatay sa bayaning iyon, o siya ang papatay sa akin.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya’s resolve to face a decisive confrontation without evasion, accepting the binary outcome of victory or death. Ethically, it frames battle as a test of courage and commitment to one’s chosen cause, while acknowledging the uncertainty and finality of war.
Karna addresses the king and declares that on this day he will engage the famed Pandava—understood as Arjuna—in direct combat, stating that either he will kill Arjuna or Arjuna will kill him.