Shloka 13
अर्जुनकर्णसंनिपातवर्णनम् / The Convergence of Arjuna and Karṇa
अभिसृत्य च मां युद्धे परुषाण्युक्तवान् बहु । तत्र तत्र युधां श्रेष्ठ परिभूय न संशय:
abhisṛtya ca māṃ yuddhe paruṣāṇy uktavān bahu | tatra tatra yudhāṃ śreṣṭha paribhūya na saṃśayaḥ |
O pinakamahusay sa mga mandirigma, hinabol niya ako sa labanan at binato ng maraming mababangis na salita; at sa iba’t ibang dako ay paulit-ulit niya akong hinamak—walang alinlangan. Dhanañjaya, hanggang ngayon ay nabubuhay lamang ako dahil sa lakas ni Bhīmasena. Ano pa ang saysay ng higit pang pagsasalita? Hindi ko kayang tiisin ang kahihiyang iyon.
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of honor for a kṣatriya and the psychological harm caused by public humiliation. It also shows humility and dependence within dharmic brotherhood: Yudhiṣṭhira acknowledges that his survival and standing are sustained by Bhīma’s strength, while insisting that dishonor is intolerable and demands a response aligned with duty.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Arjuna, recounting how an enemy pursued him in battle, repeatedly humiliated him, and spoke harshly. He confesses that he is still alive only due to Bhīma’s power and declares that he cannot bear the insult, intensifying the emotional and moral pressure within the war narrative.