Shloka 396
कर्णेन व्यूहविधानम् — Karṇa’s Battle Formation and the Pāṇḍava Counter-Plan
Adhyāya 31
शोषयेयं समुद्रांश्व तेजसा स्वेन पार्थिव । राजन! मैं सारी पृथ्वीको विदीर्ण कर सकता हूँ, पर्वतोंको तोड़-फोड़कर बिखेर सकता हूँ और अपने तेजसे समुद्रोंको भी सुखा सकता हूँ
śoṣayeyam samudrāṁś ca tejasā svena pārthiva
Śalya berkata: “Wahai raja! Dengan daya panas milikku sendiri, aku bahkan dapat mengeringkan samudra. Aku dapat membelah bumi, meremukkan gunung-gunung, dan menyerakkannya.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how claims of immense power can become an expression of pride; in the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such speech warns that strength without restraint and humility can distort judgment and inflame conflict.
In the Karṇa Parva war setting, Śalya addresses a king (pārthiva) and proclaims that his tejas is so great he could even dry up the oceans—an intimidation/boast meant to project superiority amid battlefield tensions.