कर्णेन व्यूहविधानम् — Karṇa’s Battle Formation and the Pāṇḍava Counter-Plan
Adhyāya 31
भवांश्व पुरुषव्यात्र सर्वतलोकमहारथ: । शल्य कर्ण;ोअर्जुनेनाद्य योद्धुमिच्छति संयुगे
sañjaya uvāca |
bhavān śva puruṣavyāghra sarvatra lokamahārathaḥ |
śalya karṇo 'rjunena adya yoddhum icchati saṃyuge ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “O Śalya, tigre sa mga tao! Ikaw ay isang dakilang mandirigmang karwahe na bantog sa buong daigdig at nakikibaka para sa ating kapakanan. O Śalya, ngayong araw ay nais ni Karṇa na makipaglaban kay Arjuna sa larangan ng digmaan.”
संजय उवाच
The verse foregrounds the kṣatriya-war ethos: renowned warriors are expected to act for their side’s welfare, and decisive single-combat resolve (Karṇa seeking Arjuna) is presented as a pivotal ethical and strategic moment within dharma-bound warfare.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra while addressing Śalya: he acknowledges Śalya’s fame and his role in serving the Kaurava cause, and announces that Karṇa is determined to engage Arjuna in battle that very day.