Shloka 11
एष शल्यो रथोपस्थे रश्मिसंचारकोविद: । सूतपुत्ररर्ं कृष्ण वाहयन् बहु शोभते,श्रीकृष्ण! घोड़ोंकी बागडोरका संचालन करनेकी कलामें कुशल ये राजा शल्य रथके निचले भागमें बैठकर सूतपुत्रका रथ हाँकते हुए बड़ी शोभा पाते हैं
eṣa śalyo rathopasthe raśmisañcārakovidaḥ | sūtaputrasya kṛṣṇa vāhayan bahu śobhate ||
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “Masdan si Haring Śalya—dalubhasa sa paghawak ng renda—na nakaupo sa mababang bahagi ng karwahe. O Kṛṣṇa, habang minamaneho niya ang karwahe ng anak ng tagapagmaneho (Karṇa), siya’y lubhang maringal.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the contrast between outward glory and the moral complexity of war: even a great king may be placed in a subordinate role, and apparent splendor can coexist with compromised agency and conflicted loyalties—an implicit reminder to evaluate actions by dharma rather than by display.
Arjuna points out to Kṛṣṇa that King Śalya, famed and capable, is seated on Karna’s chariot and expertly managing the reins as Karna’s charioteer, appearing impressive in that role.