Shloka 3
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
गौतमस्य रथं दृष्टवा धृष्टद्युम्नरथं प्रति । वित्रेसु: सर्वभूतानि क्षयं प्राप्तं च मेनिरे,कृपाचार्यके रथको धृष्टद्युम्नके रथकी ओर जाते देख समस्त प्राणी भयसे थर्रा उठे और धष्टद्युम्नको नष्ट हुआ ही मानने लगे
gautamasya rathaṁ dṛṣṭvā dhṛṣṭadyumna-rathaṁ prati | vitresuḥ sarvabhūtāni kṣayaṁ prāptaṁ ca menire ||
ครั้นเห็นรถศึกของโคตมะ (กฤปาจารย์) เคลื่อนเข้าหารถของธฤษฏทยุมน์ สรรพสัตว์ทั้งปวงต่างสั่นสะท้านด้วยความหวาดกลัว และพากันลงความเห็นว่าธฤษฏทยุมน์ประหนึ่งได้ถึงความพินาศแล้ว
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how collective perception in war is driven by fear and the established prowess of warriors: people often assume an outcome (destruction) based on who advances against whom, reminding readers to distinguish between reputation-based judgment and actual dharmic discernment.
Sañjaya reports that Kṛpācārya (called ‘Gautama’) drives his chariot toward Dhṛṣṭadyumna’s chariot. Observers tremble and presume Dhṛṣṭadyumna is as good as slain, anticipating a decisive clash.