Shloka 47
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
तस्याहं कुरुशार्दूल प्रतीपमहितं वच: । ध्र॒वं संकथयिष्यामि योद्धुकामस्य संयुगे
tasyāhaṃ kuruśārdūla pratīpam ahitaṃ vacaḥ | dhruvaṃ saṃkathayiṣyāmi yoddhukāmasya saṃyuge ||
Śalya dit : «Ô tigre parmi les Kurus, lorsqu’il brûlera de combattre dans la mêlée, je lui adresserai à coup sûr des paroles hostiles et funestes. Par ces propos contraires, son orgueil et son éclat seront brisés, afin qu’il puisse être abattu dans la guerre sans peine. Fils de Pāṇḍu, je te dis ceci en vérité.»
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral power of speech in warfare: words can be used as a strategic weapon to undermine arrogance and overconfidence. It also raises an ethical tension—using harmful speech for a perceived greater end—showing how dharma in war can involve difficult, morally ambiguous choices.
Śalya declares his intention that when Karṇa seeks battle with Arjuna, he will deliberately speak adverse, discouraging words to Karṇa. The aim is to diminish Karṇa’s pride and fighting spirit, making his defeat and death in the coming war easier.