Shloka 18
तमायान्तं समीक्ष्यैव श्वेताश्वंं कृष्णसारथिम् । मद्रराजोब्रवीत् कर्ण केतुं दृष्टवा महात्मन:
tam āyāntaṁ samīkṣyaiva śvetāśvaṁ kṛṣṇasārathim | madrarājo 'bravīt karṇa ketuṁ dṛṣṭvā mahātmanaḥ ||
Ao ver Arjuna aproximar-se—em seu carro puxado por cavalos brancos, com Krishna como auriga—e ao lançar o olhar ao estandarte do grande guerreiro, Shalya, rei de Madra, falou a Karna. A cena ressalta como sinais como a bandeira de um herói e a presença de um guia justo (Krishna) moldam o ânimo e o juízo no campo de batalha.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how discernment in war includes reading visible signs—such as a warrior’s banner and the stature of his allies—and recognizing the ethical weight of guidance: Arjuna’s strength is amplified by Krishna’s charioteership, suggesting that right counsel and alignment with dharma affect both confidence and outcome.
As Arjuna advances in battle with Krishna driving his chariot of white horses, Shalya notices Arjuna and his banner and then addresses Karna, setting up Shalya’s ensuing remarks meant to influence Karna’s perception and resolve.