Shloka 18
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
क्षेममद्य भवेदेवमेषा मे नैप्ठकी मति: । “तुम युद्धस्थलमें ब्राह्मण कृपाचार्यको छोड़ते हुए धीरे-धीरे जहाँ अर्जुन हैं, उसी ओर चल दो। समरांगणमें अर्जुन अथवा भीमसेनके पास पहुँचकर ही आज मैं सकुशल रह सकता हूँ, ऐसा मेरा दृढ़ विचार है” || १७ ई ।। ततः प्रायान्महाराज सारथिस्त्वरयन् हयान्
kṣemam adya bhaved evam eṣā me naiṣṭhikī matiḥ | “tvaṃ yuddhasthale brāhmaṇaṃ kṛpācāryaṃ parityajya śanaiḥ śanaiḥ yatra arjunaḥ, tatas tad-abhimukhaṃ gaccha | samarāṅgaṇe arjunaṃ vā bhīmasenaṃ vā prāpyaiva adya ahaṃ sukhena bhaviṣyāmi”—iti me dṛḍhaḥ saṅkalpaḥ || tataḥ prāyān mahārāja sārathiḥ tvarayan hayān ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Kung magkakaganito, magiging ligtas ako ngayon—ito ang aking matatag at tiyak na pasya. Iwan sa larangan ng digmaan ang gurong Brahmana na si Kripa, at dahan-dahang itaboy ang karwahe patungo sa kinaroroonan ni Arjuna. Tanging kapag narating ko si Arjuna—o si Bhīmasena—sa gitna ng sagupaan ng mga sandata ako makaaasang hindi mapapahamak ngayon; ito ang aking di-matitinag na paniniwala.” Pagkaraan, O Hari, umalis ang tagapagmaneho, at pinabilis ang mga kabayo.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a pragmatic ethic in war: when survival depends on positioning and allies, one forms a firm resolve (naiṣṭhikī mati) and acts decisively. It also implicitly contrasts reverence for a Brahmin teacher (Kṛpa) with the harsh necessities of battle, where strategic withdrawal and seeking protection can override customary deference.
A speaker (reported by Sanjaya) instructs the charioteer to leave Kripa behind and move—slowly but purposefully—toward Arjuna’s location, believing safety is possible only upon reaching Arjuna or Bhima in the thick of battle. The charioteer then drives off, urging the horses.