Shloka 27
Śalya’s Consecration as Senāpati and Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira (शल्यस्य सेनापत्यभिषेकः)
दुर्योधनवच: श्रुत्वा शल्यो मद्राधिपस्तदा । उवाच वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो राजानं राजसंनिधौ
duryodhanavacaḥ śrutvā śalyo madrādhipas tadā | uvāca vākyaṃ vākyajño rājānaṃ rājasaṃnidhau ||
三阇耶说道：听罢杜律约陀那之言，沙利耶——摩陀罗之主，善于洞察言辞背后之意——便在诸王会集之处，当众对杜律约陀那王说道。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and political weight of speech in royal settings: a wise counselor (vākyajña) must grasp not only literal words but also their intention and consequences, especially amid war where counsel can shape fate.
Sañjaya narrates that Śalya, king of Madra, hears Duryodhana’s remarks and then responds publicly before other kings—setting up a consequential exchange of counsel and strategy within the Kaurava camp.