Shloka 4
ततो द्वैरथमानीय फाल्गुनं शक्रदत्तया । जघान न वृष: कस्मात् तन््ममाचक्ष्व संजय,संजय! इस प्रकार अर्जुनको द्वैरथयुद्धमें लाकर धर्मात्मा कर्णने इन्द्रकी दी हुई शक्तिसे उन्हें क्यों नहीं मार डाला? यह मुझे बताओ
tato dvairatham ānīya phālgunaṁ śakradattayā | jaghāna na vṛṣaḥ kasmāt tan mamācakṣva sañjaya ||
ثمّ إنّه، بعدما استدرج فالغونا (أرجونا) إلى مبارزةٍ مباشرةٍ عربةً لعربة، لِمَ لَمْ يُسقِطْهُ ڤṛṣa (كارنا)—مع أنّه يلتزم بدَهرمَه الخاص—بقوّة السلاح التي منحها له شَكرا (إندرا)؟ أخبرني بذلك يا سنجيا.
श्रीवायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry within warfare: even when victory seems attainable through extraordinary means, a warrior’s action may be constrained by dharma (codes of combat), vows, strategic timing, or the larger workings of destiny. It invites reflection on restraint and responsibility in the use of overwhelming power.
Vāyudeva asks Sañjaya to explain why Karna, after engaging Arjuna in a direct chariot duel, did not kill him using the special power/weapon said to be granted by Indra. The question highlights a pivotal moment of missed or withheld lethal opportunity.