Shloka 5
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
शारद्वतो महातेजा दिव्यास्त्रविदुदारधी: । अपि स्वस्ति भवेदद्य धृष्टद्युम्नस्य गौतमात्
śāradvato mahātejā divyāstravid udāradhīḥ | api svasti bhaved adya dhṛṣṭadyumnasya gautamāt ||
Sañjaya sprach: „Kṛpa, der Sohn Śaradvatās — strahlend von großer Kraft, weitgesinnt und kundig der himmlischen Waffen — ist heute gewiss durch Droṇas Tod in Zorn entflammt. Wird Dhṛṣṭadyumna heute vor Gautama (Kṛpa) heil und unversehrt bleiben können?“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how violent acts—especially the killing of a revered teacher—ignite powerful cycles of retaliation. It underscores the ethical weight of such deeds in war: even when actions are taken for strategic ends, they generate moral and emotional consequences that return swiftly through vengeance and renewed danger.
After Droṇa’s death, the warriors anticipate that Kṛpa—renowned for mastery of divine weapons and formidable energy—will be enraged. Sañjaya voices the anxious question of whether Dhṛṣṭadyumna, who is closely associated with Droṇa’s slaying, can remain safe from Kṛpa’s counterattack.