08.025
Pancharatra and Core: Shlya's pact with Karna to bear his harsh advice, whether palatable or not, and also makes a statement: The conduct of self-criticism, self-praise, criticism of others, and praise of others is considered fourfold and is not practiced by the noble ones.
duryodhana uvāca॥
Duryodhana said:
evaṁ sa bhagavāndevaḥ sarvalokapitāmahaḥ। sārathyamakarottatra yatra rudro'bhavadrathī ॥8-25-1॥
Thus, the blessed god, the grandfather of all worlds, took on the role of charioteer where Rudra became the charioteer.
rathinābhyadhiko vīraḥ kartavyo rathasārathiḥ। tasmāttvaṃ puruṣavyāghra niyaccha turagānyudhi ॥8-25-2॥
A hero who is superior to a charioteer should be made the charioteer. Therefore, you, O tiger among men, should control the horses in battle.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
tataḥ śalyaḥ pariṣvajya sutaṃ te vākyamabravīt। duryodhanam amitraghnaḥ prīto madrādhipas tadā ॥8-25-3॥
Then Śalya, the king of Madra, embraced your son and spoke to Duryodhana, the foe-slayer, with pleasure.
evaṃ cen manyase rājan gāndhāre priyadarśana। tasmāt te yat priyaṃ kiñcit tat sarvaṃ karavāṇy aham ॥8-25-4॥
Thus, if you think so, O King, O Gandhari of pleasing appearance, then I shall do everything that is dear to you.
yatrāsmi bharataśreṣṭha yogyaḥ karmaṇi karhicit। tatra sarvātmanā yukto vakṣye kāryadhuraṃ tava ॥8-25-5॥
O best of the Bharatas, whenever I am qualified to perform a task, I shall engage myself fully and carry out your duty.
yattu karṇamahaṃ brūyāṃ hitakāmaḥ priyāpriyam। mama tatkṣamatāṃ sarvaṃ bhavānkarṇaśca sarvaśaḥ ॥8-25-6॥
"O Karna, whatever I say, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, is for your welfare. May you and Karna forgive all my words completely."
karṇa uvāca॥
Karna said:
īśānasya yathā brahmā yathā pārthasya keśavaḥ। tathā nityaṃ hite yukto madrarāja bhajasva naḥ ॥8-25-7॥
Just as Brahma is devoted to the Lord and Krishna to Partha, you too, O King of Madra, should always be engaged in our welfare.
śalya uvāca॥
Śalya spoke:
ātmanindātmapūjā ca paranindā parastavaḥ। anācāritamāryāṇāṃ vṛttametaccaturvidham ॥8-25-8॥
The conduct of self-criticism, self-praise, criticism of others, and praise of others is considered fourfold and is not practiced by the noble ones.
yattu vidvanpravakṣyāmi pratyayārthamahaṃ tava। ātmanaḥ stavasaṃyuktaṃ tannibodha yathātatham ॥8-25-9॥
"O wise one, I shall explain to you the true meaning of conviction, which is intertwined with self-praise; understand it in its entirety."
ahaṁ śakrasya sārathye yogyo mātalivatprabho। apramādaprayogācca jñānavidyācikitsitaiḥ ॥8-25-10॥
O lord, I am as suitable as Mātali for the charioteering of Śakra, due to my careful execution and knowledge in science and treatments.
tataḥ pārthena saṅgrāme yudhyamānasya te'nagha। vāhayiṣyāmi turagānvijvaro bhava sūtaja ॥8-25-11॥
Then, O sinless one, while you are fighting in the battle led by Arjuna, I will drive the horses. Be calm and composed, O son of the charioteer.
