Shloka 3
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
गौतमस्य रथं दृष्टवा धृष्टद्युम्नरथं प्रति । वित्रेसु: सर्वभूतानि क्षयं प्राप्तं च मेनिरे,कृपाचार्यके रथको धृष्टद्युम्नके रथकी ओर जाते देख समस्त प्राणी भयसे थर्रा उठे और धष्टद्युम्नको नष्ट हुआ ही मानने लगे
gautamasya rathaṁ dṛṣṭvā dhṛṣṭadyumna-rathaṁ prati | vitresuḥ sarvabhūtāni kṣayaṁ prāptaṁ ca menire ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the chariot of Gautama (Kṛpācārya) advancing toward the chariot of Dhṛṣṭadyumna, all beings trembled in fear and concluded that Dhṛṣṭadyumna had already met his destruction. The scene underscores how reputation, martial prowess, and the momentum of battle can shape collective judgment—often before the outcome is truly known.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective perception in war is driven by fear and the established prowess of warriors: people often assume an outcome (destruction) based on who advances against whom, reminding readers to distinguish between reputation-based judgment and actual dharmic discernment.
Sañjaya reports that Kṛpācārya (called ‘Gautama’) drives his chariot toward Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s chariot. Observers tremble and presume Dhṛṣṭadyumna is as good as slain, anticipating a decisive clash.