Shloka 19
काकोपमोपदेशः
The Crow-and-Swan Exemplum as Counsel to Karṇa
तलयोश्व तथा शब्दान् धनुषश्न महाहवे | शड्खशब्दवरांश्वैव चक्रतुस्तौ नरेश्वरी,राजन! तब वे दोनों नरेश बारंबार सिंहनाद करते हुए उस महासमरमें तालियाँ बजाने, धनुषकी टंकार करने और उत्तम शंखनाद फैलाने लगे
tālayoś ca tathā śabdān dhanuṣaś ca mahāhave | śaṅkhaśabdavarāṃś caiva cakratuḥ tau nareśvarī, rājan |
Sañjaya said: O King, in that great battle the two royal warriors repeatedly roared like lions, clapped their hands, twanged their bows, and sent forth the finest blasts of their conches—publicly proclaiming their resolve as the combat intensified.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the martial code (kṣātra-dharma) of openly declaring intent in battle: through lion-roars, bow-twangs, and conch-blasts, warriors signal courage, readiness, and a public challenge rather than covert aggression.
Sañjaya describes two royal combatants in the midst of a major engagement. They repeatedly make loud battle-signals—clapping, twanging their bows, and blowing conches—heightening the atmosphere and announcing their presence and determination to fight.