Shloka 83
Chapter 47: Krauñca-vyūha Deployment and Conch-Signals
Kaurava–Pāṇḍava Readiness
करिष्यामि हि ते काम॑ भागिनेय यथेप्सितम् । ब्रवीम्यत: क्लीबवत् त्वां युद्धादन्यत् किमिच्छसि
kariṣyāmi hi te kāmaṁ bhāgineya yathepsitam | bravīmy ataḥ klībavat tvāṁ yuddhād anyat kim icchasi ||
शल्य बोले—भानजे, मैं तुम्हारी इच्छा अवश्य पूरी करूँगा, जैसी तुम चाहते हो। पर मैं तुमसे कायर की भाँति कह रहा हूँ—युद्ध-सहायता के अतिरिक्त तुम और क्या चाहते हो? बताओ, तुम्हारी कामना पूरी होगी।
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between granting a request and maintaining warrior honor: Śalya offers to fulfill Karṇa’s wish, but frames the request with a shaming rebuke (“like a coward”), implying that seeking anything other than direct war-support is dishonorable for a kṣatriya.
In the war-setting, Śalya addresses his nephew Karṇa. He promises to satisfy Karṇa’s desire, but pointedly asks what Karṇa wants besides help in battle—using a contemptuous comparison to pressure him and assert a strict expectation of martial commitment.