Shloka 5
Aśvatthāman’s Arrow-Screen and the Confrontation with Yudhiṣṭhira (द्रौणि–युधिष्ठिर-संग्रामः)
एवमेवात्मनो वीर्यमहं वीर्य च पाण्डवे | जानन्ेवाह्नये युद्धे शल्य गाण्डीवधारिणम्,शल्य! मैं अपना और पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनका बल-पराक्रम समझकर ही गाण्डीवधारी पार्थको युद्धके लिये बुलाता हूँ
evam evātmano vīryam ahaṃ vīryaṃ ca pāṇḍave | jānann evāhnaye yuddhe śalya gāṇḍīvadhāriṇam ||
Wika ni Karna: “O Śalya, yamang batid ko ang sukat ng aking sariling lakas at ang lakas ng anak ni Pāṇḍu, hinahamon ko sa digmaan ang may hawak ng Gāṇḍīva—na ganap na nauunawaan ang bigat ng gayong labanan.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-ethic of deliberate choice: Karna claims he challenges Arjuna not out of ignorance but with clear awareness of both opponents’ strength. Ethically, it frames combat as a conscious acceptance of risk and responsibility, while also revealing the tension between honor and pride.
Karna addresses Śalya (his charioteer) and asserts that he knowingly calls Arjuna—the famed bearer of the Gāṇḍīva—to battle. The line functions as Karna’s self-justification and declaration of resolve before the climactic confrontation.