Shloka 14
Śalya’s Consecration as Senāpati and Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira (शल्यस्य सेनापत्यभिषेकः)
दशाड़ूं यश्चतुष्पादमिष्वस्त्रं वेद तत्त्वतः | साज़ांस्तु चतुरो वेदान् सम्यगाख्यानपञठ्चमान्
daśāḍūṁ yaś catuṣpādam iṣv-astraṁ veda tattvataḥ | sāzāṁs tu caturo vedān samyag ākhyāna-pañcamān |
三阇耶说道：“凡真正通达弓术之学所谓‘十种’与‘四足’者，实同于正当精通四部吠陀，并以伊提哈娑—阿迦耶那（史传—叙事）传统为第五者。此处援引如此圆满之学识，乃为衡量战士在战争道德重压之下，其训练之深与辨识之明。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse equates complete mastery of a technical discipline (here, missile-weapon/archery science described as ‘tenfold’ and ‘four-part’) with the breadth and rigor of mastering the Vedas plus the narrative tradition. It highlights that true expertise is not superficial skill but systematic, principled understanding—an ethical measure of competence in a war setting.
Sañjaya is characterizing the depth of a warrior’s knowledge and training during the events of the Śalya Parva. By invoking Vedic mastery as a benchmark, he underscores the exceptional stature of the person being described and frames martial prowess within a wider cultural-ethical ideal of disciplined learning.