Shloka 18
Śalya’s Consecration as Senāpati and Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira (शल्यस्य सेनापत्यभिषेकः)
गुरुपुत्रो5द्य सर्वेषामस्माकं परमा गति: । भवांस्तस्मान्नियोगात्ते को<स्तु सेनापतिर्मम
sañjaya uvāca | guruputro 'dya sarveṣām asmākaṁ paramā gatiḥ | bhavāṁs tasmān niyogāt te ko 'stu senāpatir mama ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: “O anak ng aming guro, sa araw na ito ikaw ang pinakamataas na sandigan naming lahat. Kaya, sa ilalim ng iyong tagubilin, nais kong magtalaga ng punong kumandante. Sabihin mo—sino ngayon ang dapat maging heneral ko, ilalagay sa unahan, upang kaming lahat ay magkaisa sa labanan at magwagi laban sa mga Pāṇḍava?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a crisis of war, authority and responsibility must be clearly vested: the king seeks a legitimate appointment of leadership under respected guidance, emphasizing disciplined command rather than impulsive action.
Sañjaya reports a moment where the Kaurava side, needing direction, addresses the preceptor’s son as their chief support and asks him to indicate who should be appointed commander-in-chief to lead them against the Pāṇḍavas.