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Shloka 18

तमायान्तं समीक्ष्यैव श्वेताश्वंं कृष्णसारथिम्‌ । मद्रराजोब्रवीत्‌ कर्ण केतुं दृष्टवा महात्मन:,श्रीकृष्ण जिनके सारथि हैं, उन श्वेतवाहन अर्जुनको आते देख और उन महात्माकी ध्वजापर दृष्टिपात करके मद्रराज शल्यने कर्णसे कहा--

tam āyāntaṁ samīkṣyaiva śvetāśvaṁ kṛṣṇasārathim | madrarājo 'bravīt karṇa ketuṁ dṛṣṭvā mahātmanaḥ ||

ಶ್ವೇತಾಶ್ವಯುಕ್ತ, ಕೃಷ್ಣನು ಸಾರಥಿಯಾಗಿರುವ ಅರ್ಜುನನು ಬರುತ್ತಿರುವುದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ, ಆ ಮಹಾತ್ಮನ ಧ್ವಜವನ್ನು ದೃಷ್ಟಿಸಿ ಮದ್ರರಾಜ ಶಲ್ಯನು ಕರ್ಣನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದನು.

तम्him (that one)
तम्:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
आयान्तम्coming
आयान्तम्:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootआ-या (धातु: या)
Formशतृ (present active participle), Masculine, Accusative, Singular
समीक्ष्यhaving seen/observed
समीक्ष्य:
TypeVerb
Rootसम्-ईक्ष्
FormAbsolutive (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), prior action
एवindeed/just
एव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएव
श्वेताश्वम्the white-horsed (one)
श्वेताश्वम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootश्वेताश्व
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
कृष्णसारथिम्whose charioteer is Kṛṣṇa
कृष्णसारथिम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootकृष्णसारथि
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
मद्रराजःthe king of Madra (Śalya)
मद्रराजः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootमद्रराज
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
अब्रवीत्said/spoke
अब्रवीत्:
TypeVerb
Rootब्रू
FormImperfect (लङ्), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada
कर्णO Karṇa
कर्ण:
Sampradana
TypeNoun
Rootकर्ण
FormMasculine, Vocative, Singular
केतुम्banner/standard
केतुम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootकेतु
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
दृष्ट्वाhaving seen
दृष्ट्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootदृश्
FormAbsolutive (क्त्वा), prior action
महात्मनःof the great-souled (one)
महात्मनः:
TypeNoun
Rootमहात्मन्
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular

अजुन उवाच

A
Arjuna
K
Krishna
S
Shalya (King of Madra)
K
Karna
A
Arjuna’s chariot
W
White horses
B
Banner/standard (ketu)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how discernment in war includes reading visible signs—such as a warrior’s banner and the stature of his allies—and recognizing the ethical weight of guidance: Arjuna’s strength is amplified by Krishna’s charioteership, suggesting that right counsel and alignment with dharma affect both confidence and outcome.

As Arjuna advances in battle with Krishna driving his chariot of white horses, Shalya notices Arjuna and his banner and then addresses Karna, setting up Shalya’s ensuing remarks meant to influence Karna’s perception and resolve.