Aśvatthāman’s Arrow-Screen and the Confrontation with Yudhiṣṭhira (द्रौणि–युधिष्ठिर-संग्रामः)
भीरूणां त्रासजननं शल्य हर्षकरं मम । अर्जुनके हाथमें गाण्डीव धनुष और श्रीकृष्णके हाथमें सुदर्शन चक्र है। एक कपिध्वज है तो दूसरा गरुड़ध्वज। शल्य! ये सब वस्तुएँ कायरोंको भय देनेवाली हैं; परंतु मेरा हर्ष बढ़ाती हैं
bhīrūṇāṃ trāsajananaṃ śalya harṣakaraṃ mama | arjunake hastam̐e gāṇḍīva-dhanuṣaṃ śrīkṛṣṇasya hastam̐e sudarśana-cakram | ekaḥ kapidhvajaḥ, dvitīyo garuḍadhvajaḥ | śalya, etāni sarvāṇi vastūni kāyarān bhāyayanti; mama tu harṣaṃ vardhayanti ||
迦尔纳说道:“沙利耶啊,使怯者胆寒之物,于我却是欢欣之源。阿周那手执甘狄婆神弓,圣克里希纳手持苏达尔沙那神轮。一人竖起绘有哈奴曼的战旗,另一人竖起迦楼罗之旗。沙利耶,这些征象足以震慑懦夫——却只会令我的斗志更炽。”
कर्ण उवाच
The verse contrasts cowardice and courage: the same formidable signs that intimidate the fearful can inspire the resolute. It highlights how inner disposition—confidence, pride, and warrior ethos—shapes one’s response to danger.
Karna addresses Shalya (his charioteer) before or during battle, pointing to Arjuna’s and Kṛṣṇa’s renowned weapons and banners. He declares that these celebrated emblems, though terrifying to the timid, only heighten his own excitement and determination to fight.