Shloka 47
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
तस्याहं कुरुशार्दूल प्रतीपमहितं वच: । ध्र॒वं संकथयिष्यामि योद्धुकामस्य संयुगे
tasyāhaṃ kuruśārdūla pratīpam ahitaṃ vacaḥ | dhruvaṃ saṃkathayiṣyāmi yoddhukāmasya saṃyuge ||
Śalya disse: “Ó tigre entre os Kurus, quando ele estiver ávido por lutar no campo de batalha, eu certamente lhe direi palavras contrárias e nocivas. Por essas observações adversas, seu orgulho e seu esplendor serão quebrados, para que ele possa ser abatido na guerra sem dificuldade. Filho de Pāṇḍu, digo-te isto como verdade.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral power of speech in warfare: words can be used as a strategic weapon to undermine arrogance and overconfidence. It also raises an ethical tension—using harmful speech for a perceived greater end—showing how dharma in war can involve difficult, morally ambiguous choices.
Śalya declares his intention that when Karṇa seeks battle with Arjuna, he will deliberately speak adverse, discouraging words to Karṇa. The aim is to diminish Karṇa’s pride and fighting spirit, making his defeat and death in the coming war easier.