Shloka 8
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
समुद्रतरणं दोर्भ्या कण्ठे बद्ध्वा यथा शिलाम् | गिर्यग्राद् वा निपतनं तादूक् तव चिकीर्षितम्
samudrataraṇaṃ dorbhyāṃ kaṇṭhe baddhvā yathā śilām | giryagrād vā nipatanaṃ tādṛk tava cikīrṣitam |
Usaha yang engkau niatkan itu seperti cuba menyeberangi lautan dengan kekuatan kedua-dua lengan sedangkan batu diikat pada leher; atau seperti berhasrat terjun dari puncak gunung ke bumi. Demikianlah seluruh ikhtiar dan keinginanmu—membinasakan diri dan pasti gagal.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Śalya uses stark metaphors to warn that certain ambitions, driven by pride or misjudgment, become self-sabotaging: when one’s chosen course carries its own fatal burden, effort itself cannot bring success.
In the Karṇa Parva, Śalya addresses Karṇa in a sharp, admonitory tone, comparing Karṇa’s intended undertaking to impossible, ruinous acts—signaling that Karṇa’s plan in the battle is headed toward disaster.