Shloka 40
द्रोणेन केकय-चेदि-वीरवधः
Droṇa’s engagements with the Kekayas and Cedis
अर्जुन उवाच अहमावारयिष्यामि सर्वसैन्यानि केशव । त्वमप्यत्र यथान्यायं कुरु कार्यमनन्तरम्,अर्जुन बोले--केशव! मैं इन समस्त सेनाओंको रोक रखूँगा। आप भी यहाँ इस समय करनेयोग्य यथोचित कार्य सम्पन्न करें
arjuna uvāca: aham āvārayiṣyāmi sarva-sainyāni keśava | tvam apy atra yathā-nyāyaṁ kuru kāryam anantaram ||
Arjuna said: “O Keshava, I will hold back all these armies. You too, here and now, carry out—according to what is right and proper—the task that must be done without delay.”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights role-based dharma in crisis: Arjuna accepts the immediate burden of defense—restraining the enemy forces—so that Kṛṣṇa can execute the necessary action. Ethical action is framed as yathā-nyāyam, i.e., guided by propriety and justice, and anantaram, i.e., without delay when duty demands promptness.
In the midst of the battle in Droṇa Parva, Arjuna addresses Kṛṣṇa (Keśava) with a tactical commitment: he will keep the opposing troops at bay, creating space and time for Kṛṣṇa to carry out the next required maneuver or duty in accordance with what is right and strategically necessary.