Shloka 19
कर्णेन व्यूहविधानम् — Karṇa’s Battle Formation and the Pāṇḍava Counter-Plan
Adhyāya 31
“मद्रराज! नरेश्वर! उसके मनमें विजयकी बड़ी भारी आशा है, परंतु उसके घोड़ोंकी रास पकड़नेवाला (आपके समान) दूसरा कोई इस भूतलपर नहीं है ।।
Madrarāja! Nareśvara! Tasya manasi vijayasya mahān āśā asti; kintu tasya aśvānāṃ raśmiṃ gṛhṇan (tvādṛśaḥ) dvitīyaḥ kaścid api bhūtale nāsti. Pārthasya samare Kṛṣṇo yathābhīṣugraho varaḥ, tathā tvam api Karṇasya rathe ’bhīṣugraho bhava.
Sañjaya disse: “Ó rei de Madra, ó senhor dos homens! Ele nutre uma grande esperança de vitória; contudo, nesta terra não há um segundo como tu para segurar as rédeas de seus cavalos. Assim como Kṛṣṇa é o excelente cocheiro que domina as rédeas de Pārtha na batalha, assim também torna-te o condutor das rédeas no carro de Karṇa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that victory in war depends not only on a hero’s confidence but also on competent support and disciplined control—symbolized by the charioteer who holds the reins. It draws an ethical-strategic parallel: as Kṛṣṇa’s steady guidance empowers Arjuna, so Śalya’s skill should steady Karṇa.
Sañjaya addresses Śalya (king of Madra), urging him to serve as Karṇa’s charioteer. He notes Karṇa’s strong hope of victory and emphasizes that no one equals Śalya in handling the reins, comparing his role to Kṛṣṇa’s role as Arjuna’s charioteer in battle.