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 ||
乌鸦说道:“我以性命投靠于你。请载我到那岛的远岸去。若我能在你这尊贵的天鹅庇护下,平安回到自己的故土……”
काक उवाच
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.