Shloka 40
Śalya Installed as Commander; Coalition Agreement and Battle Arrays (शल्यसेनापत्यारोहणं व्यूहवर्णनं च)
द्रोणभीष्मार्णवं तीर्त्वा कर्णपातालसम्भवम् | मा निमज्जस्व सगण: शल्यमासाद्य गोष्पदम्,इति सत्य ब्रवीम्येष दुर्योधन न संशय: । “मैं रणभूमिमें कुन्तीके सभी पुत्रों और सामने आये हुए सोमकोंपर भी विजय प्राप्त कर लूँगा। इसमें भी संदेह नहीं कि मैं तुम्हारा सेनापति होऊँगा और ऐसे व्यूहका निर्माण करूँगा, जिसे शत्रु लाँघ नहीं सकेंगे। दुर्योधन! यह मैं तुमसे सच्ची बात कहता हूँ। इसमें कोई संशय नहीं है” 'भीष्म, द्रोण और कर्णरूपी महासागरको पार करके आप अपने सेवकोंसहित शल्यरूपी गायकी खुरीमें न डूब जाइये
sañjaya uvāca |
droṇabhīṣmārṇavaṁ tīrtvā karṇapātālasambhavam | mā nimajjāsva sagaṇaḥ śalyam āsādya goṣpadam iti satyaṁ bravīmyeṣa duryodhana na saṁśayaḥ |
Sanjaya said: “Having crossed the ocean that is Drona and Bhishma—an ocean whose depths are born of Karna—do not, together with your followers, sink upon reaching Shalya, who is but a cow’s hoofprint (a mere puddle) by comparison. Duryodhana, I tell you this as truth; there is no doubt.” In ethical and narrative force, the line is a sharp warning against pride after surviving greater dangers: even a seemingly small obstacle can ruin one who becomes careless, and the next commander (Shalya) should not be underestimated simply because earlier leaders were mightier.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not become careless or arrogant after overcoming major dangers; a smaller, underestimated challenge can still cause downfall. True counsel restrains pride and urges vigilance, even when the next opponent seems ‘small’ by comparison.
Sanjaya addresses Duryodhana with a metaphor: after the Kauravas have passed through the formidable phases of command under Bhishma and Drona (and the abyss-like threat associated with Karna), they must not ‘sink’ when Shalya becomes commander. The statement functions as a caution that the war’s turning points can come unexpectedly.