Section 38 - Karna's Challenge: Discover Arjuna and Win Riches

| Posted in: Hinduism Itihasa

Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section 38 including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.

Short summary of the chapter:
Sanjaya narrates how Karna, eager to find and defeat Arjuna, offers extravagant rewards to anyone who can reveal his whereabouts to him, including jewels, cattle, villages, damsels, and even entire villages. The offer is eagerly received by Duryodhana and his followers, filling them with joy and excitement. The Kaurava army is energized by the promise of wealth and glory, with the sounds of drums, cymbals, and cheers filling the air. Meanwhile, the ruler of the Madras scoffs at Karna's boastful speech, warning him of the futility of his pursuit. As Karna prepares to enter battle, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and tension as the two sides brace for conflict.

Full English translation:

This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section 38 - Karna's Challenge: Discover Arjuna and Win Riches, have a look at the following articles:

Section 38, online text

English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.

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Mahabharata (English Summary)

by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933

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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section 38:

What rewards did Karna promise to the person who discovers Arjuna?

Karna promised wealth, jewels, cattle, villages, damsels, cars, elephants, horses, and more. He offered countless riches to anyone who revealed the whereabouts of Arjuna in battle.

What was the reaction of Duryodhana and the Kaurava troops to Karna's promises?

Duryodhana and his followers became filled with joy upon hearing Karna's promises. The troops were jubilant, with the sounds of instruments and shouts of warriors filling the air. The Madras ruler mocked Karna's boasting with laughter.

Daily life: Karna's Challenge: Discover Arjuna and Win Riches:

This story, at its core, tells us about the importance of focus and determination in achieving our goals, as epitomized by Karna's unyielding quest to find Arjuna among the ranks of soldiers. To implement this lesson in daily life, it suggests adopting perseverance towards our objectives, regardless of the challenges we might encounter. Just as Karna offered lavish rewards for help in his pursuits, we too can motivate ourselves and others with positive reinforcement to stay committed to our goals. However, it also cautions against excessive obsession, as this may lead to overlooking other valuable aspects of our lives. By balancing ambition with mindfulness, we can strive for success without losing sight of what truly matters. In essence, the story encourages us to pursue our goals with tenacity, use incentives wisely, and maintain a holistic view of our lives.

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