Shloka 683
अध्याय १४८ — कर्णप्रभावः, धृष्टद्युम्नस्य विरथता, तथा घटोत्कच-आह्वानम्
Chapter 148: Karṇa’s Pressure, Dhṛṣṭadyumna Unhorsed, and the Summoning of Ghaṭotkaca
त्वदीया जह्॒षुर्योधा: पार्थनाशान्नराधिप । नरेश्वर! श्रीकृष्णद्वारा अन्धकारकी सृष्टि होनेपर सूर्यदेव अस्त हो गये, ऐसा मानते हुए आपके योद्धा अर्जुनका विनाश निकट देख हर्षमग्न हो गये
tvadīyā jaharṣur yodhāḥ pārthanāśān narādhipa | nareśvara śrīkṛṣṇadvārā andhakārasya sṛṣṭiḥ bhūtvā sūryadevo 'staṃ gata iti manyamānāḥ tava yodhā arjunasya vināśaṃ nikaṭaṃ dṛṣṭvā harṣamaghnā babhūvuḥ |
Sañjaya said: O king, your warriors exulted, believing that when darkness was produced through Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Sun had set. Taking Arjuna’s destruction to be near at hand, they became filled with joy—revealing how, in war, triumph is often measured not by righteousness but by the anticipated fall of a formidable foe.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how perception and emotion in war can eclipse ethical judgment: the Kauravas rejoice at the presumed imminent death of Arjuna, showing attachment to victory and hatred of an enemy rather than reflection on dharma. It also underscores the power of strategic illusion—how a crafted appearance (darkness like sunset) can decisively shape morale and action.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Kaurava fighters, seeing darkness brought about through Kṛṣṇa and assuming the sun had set, believed Arjuna’s end was close and therefore celebrated. The moment captures a shift in battlefield confidence caused by the apparent setting of the sun and the expectation that Arjuna will be overcome.