Shloka 20
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
तच्छुत्वा प्राहसन् हंसा ये तत्रासन् समागता:,बहुत काँव-काँव करनेवाले उस कौएकी वह बात सुनकर वहाँ आये हुए वे पक्षियोंमें श्रेष्ठ आकाशचारी बलवान् चक्रांग हँस पड़े और कौएसे इस प्रकार बोले
tac chrutvā prāhasan haṃsā ye tatrāsan samāgatāḥ
Sañjaya nói: Nghe vậy, đàn thiên nga tụ hội nơi ấy bật cười vang. Những loài chim mạnh mẽ, tung hoành giữa trời—bậc nhất trong giống có cánh—chế nhạo tiếng khoe khoang ồn ào của con quạ và đáp lại nó cho phải lẽ.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical contrast between noisy self-assertion and genuine excellence: empty boasting invites ridicule, while true worth is recognized without clamorous display. It cautions against prideful speech and highlights the social consequences of arrogance.
Sañjaya narrates a brief episode in which swans, gathered together, hear the crow’s talk (described as loud and repetitive) and respond by laughing, setting up their forthcoming reply that rebukes the crow’s attitude.