Shloka 47
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
तस्याहं कुरुशार्दूल प्रतीपमहितं वच: । ध्र॒वं संकथयिष्यामि योद्धुकामस्य संयुगे
tasyāhaṃ kuruśārdūla pratīpam ahitaṃ vacaḥ | dhruvaṃ saṃkathayiṣyāmi yoddhukāmasya saṃyuge ||
Wika ni Śalya: “O tigre sa angkan ng mga Kuru, kapag sabik siyang makipaglaban sa digmaan, tiyak na magsasalita ako sa kanya ng mga salitang laban at makapipinsala. Sa mga salitang salungat na iyon, mababasag ang kanyang pagmamataas at ningning, upang madali siyang mapabagsak at mapatay sa digmaan. Anak ni Pāṇḍu, sinasabi ko ito sa iyo bilang katotohanan.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral power of speech in warfare: words can be used as a strategic weapon to undermine arrogance and overconfidence. It also raises an ethical tension—using harmful speech for a perceived greater end—showing how dharma in war can involve difficult, morally ambiguous choices.
Śalya declares his intention that when Karṇa seeks battle with Arjuna, he will deliberately speak adverse, discouraging words to Karṇa. The aim is to diminish Karṇa’s pride and fighting spirit, making his defeat and death in the coming war easier.