Shloka 19
कर्णेन व्यूहविधानम् — Karṇa’s Battle Formation and the Pāṇḍava Counter-Plan
Adhyāya 31
“मद्रराज! नरेश्वर! उसके मनमें विजयकी बड़ी भारी आशा है, परंतु उसके घोड़ोंकी रास पकड़नेवाला (आपके समान) दूसरा कोई इस भूतलपर नहीं है ।।
Madrarāja! Nareśvara! Tasya manasi vijayasya mahān āśā asti; kintu tasya aśvānāṃ raśmiṃ gṛhṇan (tvādṛśaḥ) dvitīyaḥ kaścid api bhūtale nāsti. Pārthasya samare Kṛṣṇo yathābhīṣugraho varaḥ, tathā tvam api Karṇasya rathe ’bhīṣugraho bhava.
三阇耶说道：“摩陀罗之王，人中之主啊！他怀抱着强大的胜利希望；然而在这大地上，能执其马缰者，唯你无二。正如战阵之中，黑天（克里希那）为帕尔塔执辔控缰、为上乘御者；你也当如此，成为迦尔纳战车上的执缰之人。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that victory in war depends not only on a hero’s confidence but also on competent support and disciplined control—symbolized by the charioteer who holds the reins. It draws an ethical-strategic parallel: as Kṛṣṇa’s steady guidance empowers Arjuna, so Śalya’s skill should steady Karṇa.
Sañjaya addresses Śalya (king of Madra), urging him to serve as Karṇa’s charioteer. He notes Karṇa’s strong hope of victory and emphasizes that no one equals Śalya in handling the reins, comparing his role to Kṛṣṇa’s role as Arjuna’s charioteer in battle.