Shloka 376
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
हार्दिक्यशरसंतप्तं नि:श्वसन्तं पुन: पुनः । कृतवर्माके बाणोंसे संतप्त हो बारंबार लंबी साँस खींचते हुए रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ शिखण्डीको उसका सारथि तुरंत रणभूमिसे बाहर हटा ले गया
hārdikya-śara-santaptaṃ niḥśvasantaṃ punaḥ punaḥ | kṛtavarmake bāṇoṃse santapta ho bārambār lambī sāṃs khīṃcte hue rathiyoṃ meṃ śreṣṭha śikhaṇḍīko usakā sārathi turanta raṇabhūmise bāhar haṭā le gayā |
Sañjaya berkata: Disengat dan hangus oleh anak panah Hārdikya (Kṛtavarman), sambil berulang kali menarik nafas panjang menahan sakit, Śikhaṇḍin—yang terunggul antara para pahlawan kereta perang—segera ditarik keluar dari medan tempur oleh saisnya. Adegan ini menegaskan bahawa di tengah tata-aturan perang yang keras, kelangsungan hidup dan kewajipan seorang kesatria bukan hanya bergantung pada keberanian, tetapi juga pada perlindungan tepat pada waktunya serta undur diri yang berdisiplin ketika luka parah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in righteous warfare, discernment and support roles matter: a charioteer’s timely withdrawal of a grievously wounded warrior preserves life and enables the warrior to return to duty later. Valor is not only striking blows but also knowing when to regroup under responsible guidance.
Sañjaya reports that Śikhaṇḍin has been badly hurt by Kṛtavarman’s arrows and is repeatedly gasping; seeing his condition, Śikhaṇḍin’s charioteer immediately takes him out of the battle zone.