Shloka 16
आवन्त्यकालिड्रजयद्रथेषु चेदिध्वजे तिष्ठति बाह्विके च । अहं हनिष्यामि सदा परेषां सहस्रशश्नायुतशश्न॒ योधान्,(कर्ण कहता था)--अवन्तीनरेश, कलिंगराज, जयद्रथ, चेदिश्रेष्ठ वीर तथा बाह्लिकके रहते हुए भी मैं सदा अकेला ही शत्रुओंके सहस्न-सहस्र एवं अयुत-अयुत योद्धाओंका संहार कर डालूँगा
āvantya-kāliṅga-jayadratheṣu cedi-dhvaje tiṣṭhati bāhvike ca | ahaṃ haniṣyāmi sadā pareṣāṃ sahasraśaś cāyutaśaś ca yodhān ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: “Kahit pa tumindig na may nakataas na mga watawat ang hari ng Avanti, ang hari ng Kaliṅga, si Jayadratha, ang pinakadakilang bayani ng Cedi, at si Bāhlika, ako pa rin—nag-iisa at walang tigil—ay wawasak sa mga mandirigma ng kaaway, libo-libo at sampung libo.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of fearlessness and martial confidence, while also exposing the ethical risk of overweening pride—boasting of slaughter on a massive scale in a war where dharma and adharma are under scrutiny.
In the Udyoga Parva’s war-preparation context, a warrior (as noted in the Gītā Press gloss, Karṇa) proclaims that even with renowned allies present—Avanti’s king, Kaliṅga’s king, Jayadratha, the Cedi champion, and Bāhlika—he alone can annihilate the opposing army in vast numbers.