Shloka 57
Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)
कृष्णश्र स्रष्टा जगतो रथं तमभिरक्षति । एतैद्रैव्यैरहं हीनो योद्धुमिच्छामि पाण्डवम्,श्रीकृष्ण जगतके स्रष्टा हैं। वे अर्जुनके उस रथकी रक्षा करते हैं। इन्हीं वस्तुओंसे हीन होकर मैं पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनसे युद्धकी इच्छा रखता हूँ
kṛṣṇaḥ sraṣṭā jagato rathaṃ tam abhirakṣati | etair daivyaiḥ ahaṃ hīno yoddhum icchāmi pāṇḍavam ||
Karna nói: “Kṛṣṇa, đấng tạo dựng và định đoạt thế gian, đang che chở cho chiến xa ấy (của Arjuna). Dẫu thiếu những trợ lực thần linh như vậy, ta vẫn muốn giao chiến với người Pāṇḍava.”
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between human effort and divine favor: Karna admits that Arjuna’s side is protected by Kṛṣṇa, yet he chooses to fight anyway, presenting valor and determination even when circumstances seem cosmically unequal.
In the midst of the Kurukṣetra war, Karna speaks about Arjuna’s chariot being guarded by Kṛṣṇa. He contrasts that divine protection with his own lack of such ‘daivya’ supports, but still declares his intent to engage Arjuna in battle.