Shloka 96
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
व्यश्रूयन्त महाराज तयोस्तत्र समागमे । “आज इस महायुद्धमें धृष्टद्युम्न विमुख होता दिखायी देता है।” महाराज! इस प्रकार वहाँ धृष्टद्यम्म और कृपाचार्यका समागम होनेपर आपके सैनिकोंकी शत्रुओंके साथ होनेवाली नाना प्रकारकी बातें सुनायी देने लगीं
vyāśrūyanta mahārāja tayos tatra samāgame |
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, ketika kedua-duanya bertemu di sana, terdengarlah dalam kalangan bala tentera: ‘Dalam perang besar ini, Dhṛṣṭadyumna tampak seolah-olah berpaling (gentar hati/menjadi tawar semangat).’ Maka, pada saat pertemuan Dhṛṣṭadyumna dengan Kṛpācārya, pelbagai khabar angin dan bicara medan perang tentang musuh pun mula beredar dalam kalangan askar tuanku.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how perception and rumor shape morale in war: even before outcomes are known, soldiers interpret signs—real or imagined—and collective talk can influence courage, resolve, and the sense of dharma in action.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that, at the encounter between Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Kṛpācārya, talk spread through the Kaurava ranks that Dhṛṣṭadyumna seemed to be turning away or losing heart in the great battle.