Shloka 4
अर्जुन-कर्ण-सङ्ग्रामः
Arjuna–Karna Engagement in the Cattle-Raid Aftermath
आनुकूल्येन कार्याणामन्तरं संविधीयते । भारं हि रथकारस्य न व्यवस्यन्ति पण्डिता:
ānukūlyena kāryāṇām antaraṃ saṃvidhīyate | bhāraṃ hi rathakārasya na vyavasyanti paṇḍitāḥ |
Kṛpa dit : «Ce n’est que lorsque les circonstances sont favorables—lorsque le lieu et le temps s’accordent justement—que l’issue véritable des entreprises est assurée. Les sages ne tranchent pas des affaires telles que la guerre en rejetant tout le fardeau sur l’avis du cocher; ils pèsent eux-mêmes le temps et le terrain avant de se déterminer.»
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sound action depends on suitability of circumstances (especially place and time). Wise leaders do not outsource responsibility to a subordinate’s opinion; they personally assess conditions before deciding, particularly in grave matters like war.
Kṛpa is offering counsel, stressing strategic and ethical prudence: decisions—implicitly about conflict—must be grounded in a careful evaluation of context rather than made rashly or by placing full responsibility on a chariot-expert’s advice.