Shloka 28
Adhyāya 35 — Bhīmasena’s Counter-Encirclement and the Karṇa Engagement Escalation
सर्वास्त्रज्ञान् महेष्वासान् सर्वानेव महाबलान् । अनिवर्तिनो महाभागानजय्यान् सत्यविक्रमान्,शल्यने कहा--सूतपुत्र! तुम पाण्डवोंकी अवहेलना कैसे करते हो। वे सब-के-सब तो सम्पूर्ण अस्त्रोंके ज्ञाता, महाधनुर्धर, महाबलवान, युद्धसे पीछे न हटनेवाले, अजेय तथा सत्यपराक्रमी हैं
sarvāstrajñān maheṣvāsān sarvān eva mahābalān | anivartino mahābhāgān ajayyān satyavikramān ||
Śalya said: “They are all masters of every weapon, great bowmen, and men of immense strength—unyielding in battle, fortunate and formidable, unconquerable, and steadfast in true valor.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not belittle worthy opponents: ethical warfare requires clear-eyed assessment, humility, and respect for proven virtue and skill; arrogance (avajñā) clouds judgment and invites defeat.
During the Karṇa Parva, Śalya addresses Karṇa, countering his disdain for the Pāṇḍavas by listing their qualities—complete weapon-mastery, archery, strength, steadfastness, and invincibility—thereby warning him against reckless overconfidence.