Shloka 143

Karna Reproves Shalya; Brahmin Reports on Bāhlīkas; Shalya’s Universalizing Rebuttal (कर्ण–शल्य संवादः)

Devanagari script

कार्तवीर्यसमं वीर्यें कर्ण राज्ञोडगमन्मन: । कर्ण युद्धमें इन्द्रके समान पराक्रमी, मरुदगणोंके समान बलवान तथा कार्तवीर्य अर्जुनके समान शक्तिशाली था। राजा दुर्योधनका मन उसीकी ओर गया

Transliteration

kārtavīrya-samaṃ vīrye karṇa-rājño ’gaman manaḥ |

Translation

三阇耶说道：“见迦尔纳之勇——其力可比迦尔塔毗梨耶，临阵如因陀罗，强健如摩鲁特众——难敌王的心便转向于他，把希望与倚仗尽寄于迦尔纳，视其为战事之柱石。”

Word by Word

• कार्तवीर्यसमम्: equal to Kartavirya
• कार्तवीर्यसमम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कार्तवीर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• वीर्ये: in valor/strength
• वीर्ये: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• कर्णराज्ञः: of King Karna
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• उदगमत्: arose/went up
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + गम् (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd, Singular

• मनः: mind
• मनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sanjaya
• Karna
• Duryodhana
• Kartavirya Arjuna
• Indra
• Maruts

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how leaders place trust in perceived strength and reputation; ethically, it invites reflection on whether reliance on sheer martial power aligns with dharma, or whether discernment and righteousness should guide one’s alliances and hopes.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes Karṇa’s extraordinary prowess through exalted comparisons (Kārtavīrya, Indra, the Maruts) and notes that Duryodhana’s mind turns toward Karṇa—indicating Duryodhana’s growing dependence on Karṇa as a decisive support in the war.