Shloka 12
अर्जुनकर्णयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्
Description of the Arjuna–Karṇa Engagement and Counsel to Duryodhana
उवाच नारायणमप्रमेयं कपिध्वज: सत्यपराक्रमस्य । श्रुत्वा वचो भ्रातुरदीनसत्त्व- स्तदाहवे सत्यवचो महात्मा | द्रष्ट कुरुश्रेष्ठमभिप्रयास्यन् प्रोवाच वृष्णिप्रवरं तदानीम्
sañjaya uvāca |
uvāca nārāyaṇam aprameyaṃ kapidhvajaḥ satyaparākramasya |
śrutvā vaco bhrātur adīnasattvas tad āhave satyavaco mahātmā |
draṣṭuṃ kuruśreṣṭham abhiprayāsyan provāca vṛṣṇipravaraṃ tadānīm ||
Sañjaya sprach: „O König, nachdem Arjuna, der Großgesinnte mit dem Affenbanner, mitten in der Schlacht die standhaften, wahrhaftigen Worte seines Bruders vernommen hatte, wandte er sich an den unermesslichen Nārāyaṇa, Krishna, den Ersten der Vṛṣṇis. Und da er den Besten der Kuru, Yudhiṣṭhira, zu sehen wünschte, sprach er in jenem Augenblick.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical steadfastness in war: truthful speech and firm resolve (satyavacaḥ, adīnasattvaḥ) are treated as moral forces. Arjuna honors Bhima’s commitment and turns to Krishna (Narayana) for counsel, showing that righteous action in conflict is guided by truth, duty to kin, and reliance on wise/divine guidance.
Sanjaya narrates that Arjuna hears Bhima’s difficult, courageous declaration made in the thick of battle. Taking it seriously, Arjuna speaks to Krishna—addressed as the immeasurable Narayana—and prepares to go meet Yudhishthira (called Kuruśreṣṭha), indicating a moment of coordination and counsel among the Pandavas under Krishna’s guidance.