कर्णेन व्यूहविधानम् — Karṇa’s Battle Formation and the Pāṇḍava Counter-Plan
Adhyāya 31
उद्यन्तौ च यथा सूर्यों बालसूर्यसमप्रभौ । कर्णशल्यौ रणे दृष्टवा विद्रवन्तु महारथा:
udyantau ca yathā sūryau bālasūrya-samaprabhau | karṇa-śalyau raṇe dṛṣṭvā vidravantu mahārathāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “Gaya ng dalawang araw na sumisikat, maningning na parang araw sa umaga, sina Karṇa at Śalya—kapag nakita silang magkasama sa larangan ng digmaan—ay nagpapayanig hanggang sa ang pinakabantog na mga dakilang mandirigmang nakasakay sa karwahe ng hukbong kalaban ay magwatak-watak at tumakas.”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how perceived strength and unity of leadership can decisively affect morale in war: the sight of formidable champions can induce fear and collapse of resolve even among elite fighters.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa and Śalya appearing together in battle with blazing brilliance, comparing them to two rising suns, and notes that their presence makes the opposing side’s great chariot-warriors flee.