Shloka 44
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
नूपशिरोमणे! जब कर्ण और अर्जुनके द्वैरथयुद्धका अवसर प्राप्त होगा, उस समय आपको ही कर्णके सारथिका काम करना पड़ेगा; इसमें तनिक भी संशय नहीं है ।। तत्र पाल्यो<र्जुनो राजन् यदि मत्प्रियमिच्छसि । तेजोवधश्न ते कार्य: सौतेरस्मज्जयावह:
nūpaśiromaṇe! yadā karṇa-arjunayoḥ dvairatha-yuddhasyāvasaro prāpsyate, tadā tvam eva karṇasya sārathikāryaṁ kartavyaḥ; atra tan-mātraṁ api saṁśayo nāsti. tatra pālyo 'rjuno rājan yadi mat-priyam icchasi. tejo-vadhaś ca te kāryaḥ sūteḥ asmāt jayāvahaḥ.
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O crest-jewel among kings! When the moment arrives for Karṇa and Arjuna to meet in single-chariot combat, you yourself must take up the role of Karṇa’s charioteer—of this there is not the slightest doubt. Therefore, O king, if you wish to do what is dear to me, you must ensure Arjuna’s safety at that time. You must also curb the charioteer’s son’s (Karṇa’s) martial brilliance; for that will bring victory to us.”
युधिछिर उवाच