कर्णेन व्यूहविधानम् — Karṇa’s Battle Formation and the Pāṇḍava Counter-Plan
Adhyāya 31
भवांश्व पुरुषव्यात्र सर्वतलोकमहारथ: । शल्य कर्ण;ोअर्जुनेनाद्य योद्धुमिच्छति संयुगे,'पुरुषसिंह शल्य! दूसरे आप भी सम्पूर्ण विश्वमें विख्यात महारथी होकर हमारे हितसाधनमें संलग्न हैं। आज कर्ण रणभूमिमें अर्जुनके साथ युद्ध करना चाहता है
sañjaya uvāca |
bhavān śva puruṣavyāghra sarvatra lokamahārathaḥ |
śalya karṇo 'rjunena adya yoddhum icchati saṃyuge ||
Sañjaya sprach: „O Śalya, Tiger unter den Menschen! Du bist ein großer Wagenkämpfer, in der ganzen Welt berühmt, und du wirkst für unser Wohl. O Śalya, heute wünscht Karṇa, auf dem Schlachtfeld gegen Arjuna zu kämpfen.“
संजय उवाच
The verse foregrounds the kṣatriya-war ethos: renowned warriors are expected to act for their side’s welfare, and decisive single-combat resolve (Karṇa seeking Arjuna) is presented as a pivotal ethical and strategic moment within dharma-bound warfare.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra while addressing Śalya: he acknowledges Śalya’s fame and his role in serving the Kaurava cause, and announces that Karṇa is determined to engage Arjuna in battle that very day.