Mahabharata 7.1.32 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 1, Shloka 32
द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय १) — भीष्मनिधनानन्तरं धृतराष्ट्रस्य शोकः, सेनायाः स्थितिः, कर्णस्मरणं च
Droṇa Parva, Chapter 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s grief after Bhīṣma’s fall and the army’s reorientation toward Karṇa
कर्ण हि कुरवो<स्मार्षु: स हि देवव्रतोपम: । सर्वशस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठ रोचमानमिवातिथिम्
karṇa hi kuravo 'smārṣuḥ sa hi devavrato'pamaḥ | sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ rocamānam ivātithim ||
Sañjaya nói: Bấy giờ quân Kaurava nhớ đến Karṇa, vì người được xem là ngang với Devavrata (Bhīṣma). Tâm trí họ hướng về vị anh hùng rực sáng ấy—bậc nhất trong hàng người mang vũ khí—như chủ nhà hướng lòng về vị khách vừa đến, hay như kẻ lâm nạn hướng về bạn tri kỷ hoặc bà con ruột thịt. Tại đó, các vua lại liên tiếp kêu lên: “Karṇa! Karṇa!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In crisis, communities instinctively seek the person whose proven prowess and steadiness inspire confidence. The verse highlights how reputation (earned through past conduct) becomes a moral and strategic resource: the Kauravas’ dependence on Karṇa reflects the ethical weight of leadership and the expectation that the foremost warrior will shoulder responsibility when others falter.
After Bhīṣma’s fall and amid the pressure of battle, the Kaurava side turns its attention to Karṇa, viewing him as Bhīṣma’s equal in might. The assembled kings begin calling out his name, signaling their hope that Karṇa will take a decisive role in the unfolding conflict.
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