Shloka 18
तमायान्तं समीक्ष्यैव श्वेताश्वंं कृष्णसारथिम् । मद्रराजोब्रवीत् कर्ण केतुं दृष्टवा महात्मन:
tam āyāntaṁ samīkṣyaiva śvetāśvaṁ kṛṣṇasārathim | madrarājo 'bravīt karṇa ketuṁ dṛṣṭvā mahātmanaḥ ||
Als er Arjuna herankommen sah — auf dem von weißen Pferden gezogenen Wagen, mit Krishna als Lenker — und seinen Blick auf das Banner des großen Kriegers richtete, sprach Shalya, der König von Madra, zu Karna. Die Szene macht deutlich, wie Zeichen wie das Feldzeichen eines Helden und die Gegenwart eines gerechten Führers (Krishna) Moral und Urteilskraft im Kampf bestimmen.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how discernment in war includes reading visible signs—such as a warrior’s banner and the stature of his allies—and recognizing the ethical weight of guidance: Arjuna’s strength is amplified by Krishna’s charioteership, suggesting that right counsel and alignment with dharma affect both confidence and outcome.
As Arjuna advances in battle with Krishna driving his chariot of white horses, Shalya notices Arjuna and his banner and then addresses Karna, setting up Shalya’s ensuing remarks meant to influence Karna’s perception and resolve.