Shloka 9
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
सहित: सर्वयोधैस्त्वं व्यूढानीकै: सुरक्षित: । धनंजयेन युध्यस्व श्रेयश्वेत् प्राप्तुमिच्छसि
sahitaḥ sarvayodhais tvaṃ vyūḍhānīkaiḥ surakṣitaḥ | dhanaṃjayena yudhyasva śreyaś cet prāptum icchasi ||
Śalya berkata: “Berdirilah bersama semua pahlawanmu, dilindungi oleh formasi perang yang tersusun rapi, dan bertempurlah dengan Dhanañjaya (Arjuna). Jika engkau ingin mencapai yang benar-benar membawa kebaikan (śreyas), maka hadapilah dia di bawah perlindungan yang berdisiplin demikian.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Śalya emphasizes disciplined action: if one seeks śreyas (true welfare/higher good), one should act with proper preparation, protection, and order—here, fighting Arjuna while supported by a well-arranged formation rather than relying on reckless individual valor.
In the Karṇa Parva battle context, Śalya addresses his side’s warrior (implicitly Karṇa) and urges him to confront Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) while staying safeguarded within a properly deployed army formation, highlighting tactical prudence amid the duel-driven warfare.