Shloka 28
Duryodhana Seeks Droṇa’s Counsel; Imperative to Protect Jayadratha; Pāñcāla Assault on Duryodhana
ततः क्रुद्धो रणे पार्थ: सृक्किणी परिसंलिहन् । नापश्यच्च ततोअस्याजूं यन्न स्याद् वर्मरक्षितम्,तदनन्तर युद्धस्थलमें कुपित हुए अर्जुन अपने मुँहके कोने चाटने लगे। उन्होंने दुर्योधनका कोई भी ऐसा अंग नहीं देखा, जो कवचसे सुरक्षित न हो
tataḥ kruddho raṇe pārthaḥ sṛkkīṇī pari-saṃlihan | nāpaśyac ca tato 'syāṅgaṃ yan na syād varma-rakṣitam ||
Sañjaya said: Then, in the midst of battle, Pārtha (Arjuna), inflamed with anger, licked the corners of his mouth. He could not discern any limb of his opponent that was not protected by armour—seeing no unguarded point to strike, his wrath sharpened into grim resolve within the harsh ethics of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior’s disciplined perception amid rage: even when anger surges, the fighter must assess the opponent’s vulnerabilities within the constraints of battle-conduct (kṣatriya-dharma). It implicitly contrasts raw emotion with the necessity of controlled, rule-aware action.
Sañjaya narrates that Arjuna, furious on the battlefield, licks the corners of his mouth—a sign of intense wrath and readiness—while scanning for an unarmoured spot. He finds no limb that is not protected by armour, indicating the opponent is fully guarded and difficult to strike.