Shloka 2
Kurukṣetra-sainyadarśana and Arjuna-viṣāda (धर्मक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः — अर्जुनविषाद)
श्रीभगवानुवाच शुचिर्भूत्वा महाबाहो संग्रामाभिमुखे स्थित: । पराजयाय शत्रूणां दुर्गास्तोत्रमुदीरय
śrībhagavān uvāca śucir bhūtvā mahābāho saṅgrāmābhimukhe sthitaḥ | parājayāya śatrūṇāṃ durgāstotram udīraya ||
The Blessed Lord said: “O mighty-armed one, now that you stand facing the battlefield, first make yourself pure—by rite and within. Then, for the defeat of the enemies, recite a hymn of praise to Goddess Durgā.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before engaging in righteous but perilous action like war, one should cultivate purity and composure and seek divine support through devotion; victory is framed not merely as force, but as disciplined action aligned with dharma and sanctified intention.
On the eve of combat, the speaker instructs the heroic warrior standing before the battle to purify himself and recite a hymn to Goddess Durgā, invoking her protection and aid for the defeat of opposing forces.