Shloka 23
Indra-vijaya Upākhyāna and Śalya’s Assurance to Yudhiṣṭhira (इन्द्रविजयोपाख्यानम् — शल्ययुधिष्ठिरसंवादः)
भवान् कर्णस्य सारथ्यं करिष्यति न संशय: । तत्र तेजोवध: कार्य: कर्णस्यार्जुनसंस्तव:
bhavān karṇasya sārathyaṁ kariṣyati na saṁśayaḥ | tatra tejovadhaḥ kāryaḥ karṇasyārjunasaṁstavaḥ ||
നീ കർണന്റെ സാരഥ്യം നിർഭാഗ്യവശാൽ അല്ല, നിർഭയമായി തന്നെ നിർവഹിക്കും—ഇതിൽ സംശയമില്ല. ആ സ്ഥാനത്ത് കർണന്റെ തേജസ്സിനെ തകർക്കുകയും അർജുനന്റെ വീര്യം പുകഴ്ത്തുകയും വേണം.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of counsel in war: a charioteer is not merely a driver but a moral and strategic influence. The instruction implies that words and guidance can strengthen one warrior’s resolve (Arjuna’s) and undermine another’s confidence (Karṇa’s), showing how dharma and victory are shaped not only by weapons but also by conduct and counsel.
Vaiśampāyana reports a certainty that the addressed person will become Karṇa’s charioteer. In that capacity, he is expected to diminish Karṇa’s ‘tejas’ (battle-confidence and brilliance) and to affirm or extol Arjuna—framing the charioteer’s role as a deliberate instrument in the coming conflict.