Shloka 15
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
धृष्टद्युम्नस्ततो राजन् शनकैरब्रवीद् वच:,राजन! यह सुनकर धृष्टद्युम्नने धीरेसे कहा--'सारथे! मेरे मनपर मोह छा रहा है और शरीरसे पसीना छूटने लगा है। मेरे सारे अंग काँप रहे हैं और रोमांच हो आया है
dhṛṣṭadyumnas tato rājan śanakair abravīd vacaḥ | rājann etac chrutvā dhṛṣṭadyumno dhīreṇa uvāca— “sārathē! mama manasi mohaḥ sañjāyate, śarīrāt svedaḥ prasravati | sarvāṇi me ’ṅgāni kampante, romāñcaś ca jātaḥ” ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, then Dhṛṣṭadyumna, speaking slowly, addressed these words. Having heard this, he said in a subdued voice: ‘Charioteer, delusion is overtaking my mind, sweat is breaking out from my body. All my limbs are trembling, and my hair stands on end.’” The verse frames a warrior’s sudden inner collapse on the battlefield—an ethical and psychological crisis where resolve wavers under the weight of impending violence and responsibility.
संजय उवाच