Shloka 23
Śalya’s Consecration as Senāpati and Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira (शल्यस्य सेनापत्यभिषेकः)
ततो दुर्योधनो भूमौ स्थित्वा रथवरे स्थितम्
tato duryodhano bhūmau sthitvā rathavare sthitam | yatra mitram amitraṃ vā parīkṣante budhā janāḥ ||
सञ्जय उवाच—ततो दुर्योधनः भूमौ स्थित्वा रथवरे स्थितं राजानं सम्बोधयामास—यत्र बुद्धिमन्तो जनाः मित्रममित्रं वा परीक्षन्ते। रणधर्मस्य तस्मिन् दारुणे काले स एतत्कर्म निष्ठायाः सख्यस्य च निर्णायकं परीक्षाकालमिव मन्यमानः प्राह।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that crises—especially war—reveal true allegiance: wise people judge whether someone acts as a genuine friend or effectively as an enemy, based on conduct rather than claims.
Sañjaya describes Duryodhana approaching and speaking to a king seated on a fine chariot, presenting the moment as a decisive test of friendship versus enmity in the unfolding battle situation.