Shloka 11
अर्जुन-कर्ण-सङ्ग्रामः
Arjuna–Karna Engagement in the Cattle-Raid Aftermath
एकेन हि त्वया कर्ण कि नामेह कृतं पुरा । एकैकेन यथा तेषां भूमिपाला वशे कृता:,किंतु कर्ण! तुम तो बताओ, तुमने पहले कभी अकेले रहकर इस जगत्में कौन-सा पुरुषार्थ किया है? पाण्डवोंमेंस तो एक-एकने विभिन्न दिशाओंमें जाकर वहाँके भूमिपालोंको अपने वशमें कर लिया था [क्या तुमने भी ऐसा कोई कार्य किया है?]
ekena hi tvayā karṇa kiṃ nāmeha kṛtaṃ purā | ekaikena yathā teṣāṃ bhūmipālā vaśe kṛtāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Kripa: “O Karna, sabihin mo: anong gawang kabayanihan ang nagawa mo na noon sa mundong ito, nang mag-isa ka? Sapagkat ang bawat isa sa mga Pandava, nang magtungo nang nag-iisa sa iba’t ibang panig, ay napasunod ang mga hari roon sa kanyang kapangyarihan—ikaw ba’y nakagawa ng gayong gawa?”
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya ethic of earned reputation: true honor rests on demonstrable deeds—especially independent accomplishment—rather than mere claims or association. It also implies that leadership and legitimacy are tested through concrete acts of bringing order and allegiance among rulers.
Kṛpa addresses Karna in a confrontational tone, contrasting Karna’s record with the Pandavas’ earlier exploits, where each brother individually went out and subdued regional kings. The remark functions as a taunt and a challenge to Karna’s standing and credibility in the ongoing political-military tension.