Shloka 17
Bhīṣma–Arjuna Strategic Engagement at Virāṭa’s Frontier (भीष्मार्जुनयुद्धम्)
ततक्नक्षुर्देथे पार्थों यत्र विस्फार्यते धनु: । ददर्श तत्र राधेयं तस्य कोपो व्यवर्धत,तब अर्जुनने जहाँ धनुषकी टंकार हो रही थी, उधर दृष्टि डाली, तो वहाँ राधानन्दन कर्ण दिखायी पड़ा। इससे उनका क्रोध बहुत बढ़ गया
tataḥ cakṣur dadhe pārtho yatra visphāryate dhanuḥ | dadarśa tatra rādheyaṃ tasya kopaḥ vyavardhata ||
ثم وجّه بارثا (أرجونا) بصره نحو الموضع الذي كان يرنّ منه طنين القوس. فرأى هناك رادهيّا (كَرْنَة)، فازداد غضبه ازديادًا شديدًا.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how perception triggers emotion: a warrior’s mind can flare up upon recognizing a rival. Ethically, it points to the need for inner restraint (self-mastery) even when duty and past enmity provoke anger.
Arjuna hears the resonant sound of a bow being drawn and looks toward it. He spots Karna there, and the sight intensifies Arjuna’s anger, signaling the sharpening of hostilities and the approach of confrontation.