Shloka 7
Śalya’s Objection to Sārathya and Duryodhana’s Conciliation (शल्यमन्यु-प्रशमनम् / Sārathyāṅgīkāra)
अनुक्त्वा समरे तात शूरा युध्यन्ति शक्तित: । प्रयुध्यस्व मया शक्त्या हनिष्ये दर्पमेव ते
anuktvā samare tāta śūrā yudhyanti śaktitaḥ | prayudhyasva mayā śaktyā haniṣye darpam eva te ||
Sañjaya said: “O dear one, in battle true heroes do not waste words; they fight according to their strength. Engage me with your full power—I shall shatter your pride.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds a warrior’s code: in the crisis of battle, merit is shown through disciplined action and measured strength, not boastful speech; pride (darpa) is portrayed as a moral weakness to be broken.
In the Karṇa Parva battle setting, a warrior challenges his opponent to stop talking and fight at full capacity, threatening to crush the opponent’s arrogance; Sañjaya reports this exchange.