Shloka 53
युधिष्ठिरस्य धनंजय-प्रति गर्हा
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Reproach to Dhanaṃjaya
तं॑ शल्य: प्राह मा कर्ण गृहीथा: पार्थिवोत्तमम् । गृहीतमात्रो हत्वा त्वां मा करिष्यति भस्मसात्
taṁ śalyaḥ prāha mā karṇa gṛhīthāḥ pārthivottamam | gṛhītamātro hatvā tvāṁ mā kariṣyati bhasmasāt ||
Sañjaya said: Śalya addressed Karṇa, “Do not seize that foremost of kings. The moment you lay hold of him, he will strike you down and reduce you to ashes.” The warning underscores the peril of rash aggression in battle and the ethical need for clear judgment over prideful impulse.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in warfare, discernment and restraint are vital: pride-driven, impulsive action invites swift ruin. Wise counsel aims to prevent self-destruction by urging realistic assessment of an opponent’s strength.
During the Karṇa Parva battle account, Sañjaya reports that Śalya cautions Karṇa not to attempt to seize the foremost warrior-king (implicitly Arjuna), warning that such a move would immediately lead to Karṇa’s death and total destruction.