Shloka 85
Chapter 47: Krauñca-vyūha Deployment and Conch-Signals
Kaurava–Pāṇḍava Readiness
शल्य उवाच किमत्र ब्रूहि साहां ते करोमि नृपसत्तम । काम योत्स्ये परस्यार्थे बद्धो<5स्म्यर्थेन कौरवै:
śalya uvāca: kim atra brūhi sahāyaṃ te karomi nṛpasattama | kāmaṃ yotsye parasya arthe baddho 'smy arthena kauravaiḥ ||
قال شاليا: «أخبرني—أيَّ عونٍ أستطيع أن أقدّمه لك هنا، يا خيرَ الملوك؟ وإن رغبتُ في غير ذلك، فقد قيّدني الكورافا بالمال وبواجب العهد؛ لذلك سأقاتل، كما أختار، نصرةً لخصمك».
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension between personal intention and binding obligation: material indebtedness (artha) can compel a warrior’s allegiance even against his preferred course, raising ethical questions about loyalty purchased by wealth.
Śalya responds to a king’s request for assistance, asking what help is desired, but declares that he is already obligated to the Kauravas due to material ties; therefore he will fight on the opposing side despite any personal inclination.