Shloka 10
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ४०
Karṇa’s Pressure on the Pāñcālas; Duryodhana Disabled; Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
अतत्त्वां कथये कर्ण निदर्शनमिदं पुनः । सम और विषम अवस्था
sañjaya uvāca |
avaśyaṃ kathaye karṇa nidarśanam idaṃ punaḥ |
sama-viṣamāvasthā, rathinaḥ prabalatā ca nirbalatā ca, rathena saha hayānāṃ satata-pariśramaḥ kleśaś ca, astrāṇi santi na vā—iti jñānam, jaya-parājaya-sūcanāṃ paśu-pakṣi-bhāṣā, bhāraḥ atibhāraś ca, śalya-cikitsā, astraprayogaḥ, yuddhaṃ ca śubhāśubha-nimittāni—etāḥ sarvāḥ kathāḥ jñātum mama āvaśyakam; yato 'haṃ asya rathasya ekaḥ kuṭumbī |
karṇa! tasmāt punaḥ tvāṃ prati asya dṛṣṭāntasya varṇanaṃ karomi ||
vaiśyaḥ kila samudrānte prabhūta-dhana-dhānyavān rājño dharma-pradhānasya rāṣṭre vasati nirbhayaḥ |
sa yajña-yāgādi-kartā dānapatiḥ kṣamāśīlaḥ sva-varṇānukūla-karmaṇi tatparaḥ pavitraḥ bahu-putravān santāna-premī sarva-prāṇi-dayāvān ca |
桑阇耶说道：“迦尔那，我将再一次讲述这个譬喻。对我这属于此战车家属之人而言，凡能昭示战争成败的一切，都必须了然于心：地势平坦或崎岖，战士的强盛或衰弱，战车旁战马不息的劳顿与苦楚，兵器是否齐备，走兽飞禽的啼鸣如何预告胜负，载重的适度与过载，创伤的医治，兵器的运用，战斗的法度，以及吉凶诸兆。正因如此，迦尔那，我才再向你叙述此例。 “据说在海滨之地，有一位商人居于一位以达摩为本的国王之国中。他财货与谷粮丰足，安居而无惧。他行祭祀与仪礼，乐施好施，忍耐而宽恕，勤于其种姓所当尽之职分，操行清净，子嗣众多，爱怜儿女，并对一切众生怀有悲悯。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Competence in war is not only bravery but also informed judgment: understanding terrain and conditions, the state of the warrior and horses, availability of weapons, medical care, and the reading of auspicious/inauspicious signs. Alongside this practical wisdom, the narrative introduces an ethical model—a prosperous Vaiśya whose life is marked by ritual duty, generosity, patience, purity, and compassion—suggesting that dharma and disciplined conduct underpin stability and success.
Sañjaya addresses Karna and says he will repeat an instructive example. He explains why he must know many battlefield indicators and practical arts, since he is part of the chariot’s retinue. Then he begins the example by describing a wealthy, virtuous Vaiśya living safely on the seashore in the realm of a dharma-oriented king, setting the stage for a moral-illustrative story.