Shloka 47
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
तस्याहं कुरुशार्दूल प्रतीपमहितं वच: । ध्र॒वं संकथयिष्यामि योद्धुकामस्य संयुगे
tasyāhaṃ kuruśārdūla pratīpam ahitaṃ vacaḥ | dhruvaṃ saṃkathayiṣyāmi yoddhukāmasya saṃyuge ||
シャリヤは言った。「クル族の虎よ。彼が戦場で戦いを欲するその時、私は必ずや彼に逆らい害となる言葉を浴びせよう。その反する言葉によって、彼の驕りと輝きは砕かれ、戦において容易く討たれるであろう。パーンドゥの子よ、これは真実として汝に告げる。」
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral power of speech in warfare: words can be used as a strategic weapon to undermine arrogance and overconfidence. It also raises an ethical tension—using harmful speech for a perceived greater end—showing how dharma in war can involve difficult, morally ambiguous choices.
Śalya declares his intention that when Karṇa seeks battle with Arjuna, he will deliberately speak adverse, discouraging words to Karṇa. The aim is to diminish Karṇa’s pride and fighting spirit, making his defeat and death in the coming war easier.