Shloka 20
Pradyumna–Śālva Missile-Exchange at Saubha (Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 18)
चारुदेष्ण श्व दुर्धर्षस्तथैव गदसारणौ । अक्रूरश्व महाबाहु: किं मां वक्ष्यति सारथे,'सारथे! दुर्धर्ष वीर चारुदेष्ण, गद, सारण और महाबाहु अक्रूर मुझसे क्या कहेंगे?
cārudeṣṇaśva durdharṣas tathaiva gadasāraṇau | akrūraśva mahābāhuḥ kiṁ māṁ vakṣyati sārathi ||
Wika ni Vāyu: “O tagapagmaneho ng karwahe, kapag humarap sa ganitong kalagayan ang di-madadaig na bayani na si Cārudeṣṇa, kasama sina Gada at Sāraṇa, at si Akrūraśva na makapangyarihan ang bisig—ano ang sasabihin sa akin ng tagapagmaneho?”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores ethical accountability: one’s choices in moments of conflict are evaluated by competent peers and guides (like the charioteer), so action should align with dharma and honor rather than impulse.
Vāyu speaks with apprehension about how the charioteer will address him in the presence of notable warriors—Cārudeṣṇa, Gada, Sāraṇa, and Akrūraśva—indicating a charged situation where counsel, judgment, and martial readiness matter.