Shloka 23
प्रतिपालय मां सूत नियम्याश्वान् मुहूर्तकम् । यावदेतान् निहन्म्यद्य य इमे मद्वधोद्यता:,“जाते समय पुरुषसिंह भीमसेनने मुझसे प्रेमपूर्वक यह बात कही कि सूत! तुम दो घड़ीतक इन घोड़ोंको रोककर यहीं मेरी प्रतीक्षा करो। जबतक कि ये जो लोग मेरा वध करनेके लिये उद्यत हैं, इन्हें अभी मार न डालूँ
pratipālaya māṁ sūta niyamyāśvān muhūrtakam | yāvad etān nihany adya ya ime mad-vadhodyatāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O charioteer, hold the horses in check and wait for me just a little while, until I strike down today these men who are intent on killing me.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a battlefield context, the verse highlights decisive action against an immediate unjust threat (those intent on killing), coupled with disciplined coordination—here, the charioteer’s restraint of the horses—showing how duty and practical control work together in crisis.
The speaker addresses the charioteer, instructing him to hold the horses and wait briefly while the speaker goes to confront and kill opponents who are actively attempting to kill him.