Shloka 123
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
ईदृशं व्यसन युद्धे न ते दृष्टं मया क्वचित् | तब उनके सारथिने उनसे कहा--'द्रुपदनन्दन! कुशल तो है न? युद्धमें आपपर कभी ऐसा संकट आया हो, यह मैंने नहीं देखा है
īdṛśaṁ vyasanaṁ yuddhe na te dṛṣṭaṁ mayā kvacit |
Sañjaya berkata: Lalu saisnya berkata kepadanya, “Wahai putera Drupada, adakah tuan baik-baik sahaja? Dalam peperangan, belum pernah aku melihat malapetaka seperti ini menimpa tuan; krisis sebegini di tengah denting senjata tidak pernah aku saksikan pada diri tuan.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how even seasoned warriors can face unprecedented reversals in war, reminding the listener that martial prowess does not guarantee immunity from sudden misfortune; vigilance and steadiness amid adversity are implied ethical necessities for a kṣatriya.
Sañjaya, narrating events, remarks that he has never previously seen such a severe predicament arise for the addressed warrior in the midst of battle, highlighting a turning point or alarming setback on the battlefield.