Shloka 27
Śalya’s Consecration as Senāpati and Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira (शल्यस्य सेनापत्यभिषेकः)
दुर्योधनवच: श्रुत्वा शल्यो मद्राधिपस्तदा । उवाच वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो राजानं राजसंनिधौ
duryodhanavacaḥ śrutvā śalyo madrādhipas tadā | uvāca vākyaṃ vākyajño rājānaṃ rājasaṃnidhau ||
Sañjaya said: Hearing Duryodhana’s words, Śalya—the lord of Madra, skilled in discerning the intent behind speech—then addressed King Duryodhana in the presence of the assembled kings.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and political weight of speech in royal settings: a wise counselor (vākyajña) must grasp not only literal words but also their intention and consequences, especially amid war where counsel can shape fate.
Sañjaya narrates that Śalya, king of Madra, hears Duryodhana’s remarks and then responds publicly before other kings—setting up a consequential exchange of counsel and strategy within the Kaurava camp.