Shloka 29
सूर्य–कर्णोपदेशः
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Kīrti and the Kuṇḍala
विस्तीर्ण चैव नः सैन्यं हन्याच्छिद्रेण वै पर: । प्लवोडुपप्रतारश्न नैवात्र मम रोचते,“इसके सिवा नौका आदिसे यात्रा करनेपर हमारी सेना छिट-फुट होकर बहुत दूरतक फैल जायगी। उस दशामें अवसर पाकर शत्रु इसका नाश भी कर सकता है। इसीलिये डोंगी और नाव आदिपर बैठकर पार उतरनेकी बात मुझे ठीक नहीं जँचती है
vistīrṇaṃ caiva naḥ sainyaṃ hanyāc chidreṇa vai paraḥ | plavōḍupa-pratāraś ca naivātra mama rōcate ||
“Bukod pa riyan, kung tatawid tayo sa maliliit na bangka at balsa, magkakawatak-watak ang ating hukbo at hahaba ang pagitan. Sa gayon, kapag nakakita ng siwang ang kaaway, maaari niyang salakayin at lipulin tayo. Kaya’t hindi ko kinasisiyahan ang balak na tumawid na nakasakay sa mga bangka at balsa.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sound leadership avoids creating avoidable vulnerabilities: dispersing one’s forces during a risky crossing invites the enemy to exploit gaps (chidra). Prudence and cohesion are presented as ethical duties in protecting one’s people.
Mārkaṇḍeya evaluates a proposed river-crossing by small craft and rejects it, warning that the army would become strung out and fragmented, giving the enemy a chance to attack and destroy them.