Shloka 5
काकोपमोपदेशः
The Crow-and-Swan Exemplum as Counsel to Karṇa
संजय उवाच संसक्तेषु तु सैन्येषु वध्यमानेषु भागश: । रथमन्यं समास्थाय पुत्रस्तव विशाम्पते
sañjaya uvāca saṃsakteṣu tu sainyeṣu vadhyamāneṣu bhāgaśaḥ | ratham anyaṃ samāsthāya putras tava viśāmpate
Sañjaya said: When the armies had become locked in close combat and were being cut down in parts on all sides, your son, O lord of the people, mounted another chariot.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the volatility of war: even commanders must adapt instantly amid widespread slaughter. It implicitly highlights the ethical gravity of battle—human lives are lost “in parts,” across many fronts—while leaders respond with tactical survival and continuity of command.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the two armies are in close, chaotic engagement and are being heavily slain. In that turmoil, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son (contextually Duryodhana) leaves his current position and mounts another chariot, indicating a change of vehicle/position amid the fighting.