Shloka 6
Saṃśaptakas in Candrārdha-vyūha; Arjuna’s Devadatta and the Traigarta Rout
Chapter 17
कश्चिदाहूय त॑ं संख्ये देशमन्यं प्रकर्षतु । तमजित्वा न कौन्तेयो निवर्तेत कथंचन,“यदि कोई वीर अर्जुनको युद्धके लिये ललकारकर दूसरे स्थानमें खींच ले जाय तो वह कुन्तीकुमार उसे परास्त किये बिना किसी प्रकार नहीं लौट सकता
kaścid āhūya taṁ saṅkhye deśam anyaṁ prakarṣatu | tam ajitvā na kaunteyo nivarteta kathaṁcana ||
Sañjaya said: “If some warrior were to challenge him in battle and draw him away to another spot, that son of Kuntī would not, under any circumstance, turn back without first defeating that opponent.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma as steadfastness in a rightful combat: once challenged and engaged, Arjuna’s ethical code does not permit withdrawal until the opponent is overcome. It frames perseverance and honor as moral obligations in the battlefield context.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna’s battle-temperament to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: if any fighter lures Arjuna to another part of the field by issuing a challenge, Arjuna will pursue and will not return without first defeating that challenger.