Shloka 21
Śalya’s Consecration as Senāpati and Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira (शल्यस्य सेनापत्यभिषेकः)
एन॑ सेनापतिं कृत्वा नृपतिं नृपसत्तम | शक्य: प्राप्तुं जयो<स्माभिदेंवै: स्कन््दमिवाजितम्
sañjaya uvāca |
enaṁ senāpatiṁ kṛtvā nṛpatiṁ nṛpasattama |
śakyaḥ prāptuṁ jayo ’smābhir devaiḥ skandam ivājitam ||
三阇耶说道：“噢，诸王之最！若我们立此王为军之统帅，我们也能获得胜利——正如诸天立不可战胜的斯坎达为将帅，因而得胜一般。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical importance of capable leadership in war: appointing a strong, respected commander can unify forces, raise morale, and make victory attainable—illustrated through the divine precedent of the gods choosing Skanda.
Sañjaya addresses the king and argues that by appointing this king (in context, Śalya) as the army’s commander, their side can achieve victory, comparing the plan to how the gods won after making Skanda their general.