स भवांस्तत्र यात्वाशु यत्र कर्णो महारथ: । अहमेनं हनिष्यामि मां वैष मधुसूदन,“मधुसूदन! अतः आप शीघ्र वहीं चलिये, जहाँ महारथी कर्ण है। आज मैं इसे मार डालूँगा या यह मुझे (मार डालेगा)'
sa bhavāṁs tatra yātvāśu yatra karṇo mahārathaḥ | aham enaṁ haniṣyāmi māṁ vaiṣa madhusūdana |
Sañjaya said: “O Madhusūdana, go quickly to the place where Karṇa, that great chariot-warrior, stands. Today I shall surely slay him—or he will slay me.”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of steadfastness in battle: one must face a decisive encounter without retreat, accepting death as a possible consequence while acting with firm resolve toward one’s perceived duty.
Sañjaya reports a battlefield declaration addressed to Kṛṣṇa (Madhusūdana): he urges immediate movement to where Karṇa is positioned, announcing an all-or-nothing duel—either he will kill Karṇa or be killed by him.