Shloka 293
कर्णवधोत्तरं शल्य-दुर्योधनसंवादः
Aftermath of Karṇa’s Fall: Śalya’s Address to Duryodhana
तत् ते श्रेयो राजपुत्राभविष्य- न्न चेत् संग्रामादपयानं दुरात्मन् । “दुरात्मा राजपुत्र! यदि तुम पाँचवें महीनेमें माताके गर्भसे गिर गये होते अथवा माता कुन्तीके अत्यन्त कष्टदायक गर्भमें आये ही नहीं होते तो वह तुम्हारे लिये अच्छा होता; क्योंकि उस दशामें तुम्हें युद्धलोे भाग आनेका कलंक तो नहीं प्राप्त होता
tat te śreyo rājaputrābhaviṣyan na cet saṅgrāmād apayānaṁ durātman
Sañjaya said: “O prince, if you are not going to choose what is truly best, then—O wicked-minded one—do not withdraw from the battle.” The line frames retreat not as a neutral tactic but as a moral stain: a warrior’s duty in a righteous contest is measured by steadfastness, and flight is condemned as disgrace.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts śreyas (the truly beneficial, morally right course) with apayāna (retreat). In the epic’s kṣatriya-ethic, abandoning the fight—especially when duty calls—is treated as dishonor and a lapse in dharma.
Sañjaya reports a harsh admonition directed at a prince on the battlefield, warning him that if he will not choose the better path, he must not turn away from combat; the speech functions to shame and restrain any impulse to flee.