Make or break!

 

When Salya agreed to drive Karna’s chariot only on condition that he must be allowed to speak freely whatever he likes, Duryodhana and Karna readily agreed & thus a contract was made. Duryodhana flattered Salya by comparing him to Lord Brahmā, who formerly became Shiva’s charioteer at the time of destroying Tripura

 

Duryodhana concluded his long talk by saying: Dear Salya, Parasurāma delivered the entire science of weapons to Karna. Therefore, we must intelligently conclude that Karna cannot really be a sutā’s son. He must be the offspring of a demigod born in a Kshatriya family & then abandoned at infancy. Otherwise, why would Parasurāma agreed to instruct him in the complete use of weapons?

 

Salya replied: I have heard on numerous occasions the story of how Lord Brahmā became Lord Siva’s charioteer. You should not place so much faith in your plans, because even if Arjun is killed, Sri Krsna will exterminate the entire Kaurav army in a fit of rage

 

Duryodhana said: Whatever you may say, I have complete faith in Karna. Even if Karna is killed, couldn’t you protect our army, just as Krsna is protecting the Pāndavās?

 

Salya said: Dear King! I am very flattered that you consider me even greater than Sri Krsna. Truthfully, it is for this reason alone that I am willing to drive Karna’s chariot. Still, let me remind you that I must be permitted to say whatever I please while engaged in this service

 

Duryodhana & Karna once again assured Salya of this. The Kaurava king then cheerfully embraced the Madraka ruler, thinking that his victory is now assured. Still, clever Karna understood that Salya had not whole-heartedly accepted their proposal. He thus took Duryodhana aside & requested him to once again solicit Salya’s assurances of his full participation

 

When Duryodhana again went to Salya, the Madraka king warmly embraced him & said: You can be rest assured of my complete cooperation in this regard. My only request is that Karna should always pardon me if I happen to say something that he finds disagreeable

 

Karna requested Salya to bring his chariot after fully equipping it with weapons. When Salya returned with the chariot, Karna first worshipped Surya & then mounted it. At that time Duryodhana came to him & said: O Karna, my dear friend, I beg you to accomplish today that which I had always hoped Bhisma & Drona would do. I beg you to either kill Bhima & Arjun or else capture Yudhisthira alive

 

Karna said: O Salya, quickly go to where Arjun is staying so that I can begin my slaughter of the Pāndavās

 

However, instead of submissively obeying this command, Salya impudently replied: O Karna, you will not brag like this when you hear the twanging of the Gāndiva bow! Salya went on to praise the Pāndavās at length, but Karna tolerated his speech as the two proceeded onto the battlefield

 

Words have huge power to make or break one’s spirit. We often underestimate not just the destructive power of harsh words, but also the regenerative power of kind words

 

Here Salya will tactically use his words to demoralize Karna. Few gentle words of encouragement or reassurance works wonders & demoralized people can become energized by a few motivational words. But only few harsh words can play such huge impact that it can destroy the most potent warrior

 

Bhagavad-Gita itself demonstrates the transformative power of words. When we realize the power of words, we appreciate more deeply the value of the Gita’s guideline to discipline our speech

 

anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat
svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa ucyate

 

Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife