Shloka 56
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
अथाब्रवीद्धृष्टमना वासुदेवं॑ धनंजय: । पश्य वृष्णिप्रवीरेण क्रीडन्तं कुरुपुज्वम्
athābravīd dhṛṣṭamanā vāsudevaṁ dhanañjayaḥ | paśya vṛṣṇipravīreṇa krīḍantaṁ kurupuṅgavam ||
তেতিয়া ধৃষ্টমন ধনঞ্জয় অৰ্জুনে বাসুদেৱক ক’লে—“চোৱা; বৃষ্ণিবীৰৰ সন্মুখতো সেই কুৰুপুঙ্গৱ যেন খেলাচ্ছলে যুদ্ধ কৰি আছে।”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how confidence in war can slide into heedless pride—treating lethal combat like a game. It implicitly warns that dharma in battle requires clear perception and restraint, not intoxication with prowess.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, encouraged and alert, speaks to Kṛṣṇa and points out a foremost Kuru warrior who appears to be ‘sporting’ while engaging with a leading Vṛṣṇi hero—calling Kṛṣṇa’s attention to the opponent’s demeanor and the unfolding clash.