Shloka 24
Draupadī’s Identification of the Pāṇḍavas and the Onset of the Chariot Engagement (द्रौपदी-पाण्डव-परिचयः)
तच्छुत्वा तु वचो राजन् कर्णस्य भरतर्षभ । प्रीत्या परमया युक्त: कर्णमाह नराधिप:,भरतश्रेष्ठ राजन! कर्णकी यह बात सुनकर राजा दुर्योधनने बड़ी प्रसन्नताके साथ उससे कहा--
tac chrutvā tu vaco rājan karṇasya bharatarṣabha | prītyā paramayā yuktaḥ karṇam āha narādhipaḥ ||
Tâu Đại vương, hỡi bậc tráng sĩ ưu tú trong dòng Bharata—nghe lời Karna, vị quân vương (Duryodhana) tràn đầy niềm vui và tình thân sâu đậm, liền cất lời đáp lại Karna.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how powerful bonds of friendship and gratitude can shape royal decision-making. Duryodhana’s intense pleasure at Karṇa’s words underscores the ethical weight of loyalty—often a virtue, yet potentially perilous when it binds one to unrighteous aims.
After Karṇa speaks, Duryodhana hears him and, delighted, responds directly to Karṇa. The line functions as a narrative bridge, signaling Duryodhana’s approval and setting up his ensuing reply.