Shloka 65
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
प्राणै्ँस प्रपद्ये त्वां द्वीपान्तं प्रापपस्व माम् । यद्यहं स्वस्तिमान् हंस स्वं देशं प्राप्तुयां प्रभो
kāka uvāca | prāṇaiḥ prapadye tvāṃ dvīpāntaṃ prāpaya sva mām | yady ahaṃ svastimān haṃsa svaṃ deśaṃ prāptuyāṃ prabho ||
Con quạ nói: “Lấy chính mạng sống này, ta xin nương tựa nơi ngài. Xin đưa ta đến bờ xa của đảo. Nếu, hỡi thiên nga tôn quý, ta được về đến xứ sở mình bình an…”
काक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge): in danger, one appeals to a capable and noble protector, acknowledging dependence and requesting safe passage. Ethically, it highlights humility, trust, and the hope for protection grounded in the helper’s virtue.
A crow addresses a swan, pleading for rescue: it surrenders ‘with its life’ and asks to be carried to the far side of an island so it may return safely to its own land.