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,कुरुश्रेष्ठ! जब कर्ण रणभूमिमें अर्जुनके साथ युद्धकी इच्छा करेगा, उस समय मैं अवश्य ही उसके प्रतिकूल अहितकर वचन बोलूँगा, जिससे उसका अभिमान और तेज नष्ट हो जायगा और वह युद्धमें सुखपूर्वक मारा जा सकेगा। पाण्डुनन्दन! मैं तुमसे यह सत्य कहता हूँ
tasyāhaṃ kuruśārdūla pratīpam ahitaṃ vacaḥ | dhruvaṃ saṃkathayiṣyāmi yoddhukāmasya saṃyuge ||
โอ้พยัคฆ์แห่งวงศ์กุรุ! เมื่อเขากระหายจะรบในสนามศึก ข้าจักกล่าวถ้อยคำอันเป็นปฏิปักษ์และเป็นโทษแก่เขาโดยแน่นอน
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.