‘O valiant one, listen to what I entreat of thee. O great king, in the field of battle thou art the very equal of Kṛṣṇa himself. When, O best of kings, the single combat between Karna and Arjuna comes to pass, I am certain that thou wilt be chosen to guide Karna’s chariot.’ ।। 5-8-26 ।।
तत्र पाल्यॊ ऽरजुनॊ राजन यदि मत्प्रियम इच्छसि तेजॊवधश च ते कार्यः सौतेर अस्मज जया वहः अकर्तव्यम अपि हय एतत कर्तुम अर्हसि मातुल ।। ५-८-२७ ।।
‘On that occasion, if thou art inclined to do me a kindness, I beseech thee—protect Arjuna. Act, O king, in such a way that the son of the Suta may lose heart, and that victory may be ours. Improper it no doubt is; yet, O my uncle, for all that, thou must do it.’ ।। 5-8-27 ।।
tatra pAlyò 'rajunò rAjana yadi matpriyama icchasi tejòvadhaza ca te kAryaH sautera asmaja jayA vahaH akartavyama api haya etata kartuma arhasi mAtula || 5-8-27 ||
‘Śalya replied: "Good betide thee, O son of Pāṇḍu. Listen carefully. Thou askest me to act in such a way that the vile son of the Sūta may lose heart in battle."’ ।। 5-8-28 ।।
‘O tiger among the Kurus, I shall certainly speak to him, when he stands eager for combat, words that are contradictory and harmful to his cause—’ ।। 5-8-30 ।।