Shloka 3
धृष्टद्युम्नस्य द्रोणरथारोহণं सात्यकेः प्रतिरक्षणं च | Dhrishtadyumna Boards Droṇa’s Chariot; Sātyaki’s Counter-Protection
प्रायात् स शिबिरं जिष्णुर्जैत्रमास्थाय तं रथम् । गच्छन्नेव च गोविन्द साश्रुकण्ठो5भ्यभाषत,संजय बोले--भरतश्रेष्ठ! प्राणधारियोंका संहार करनेवाले उस भयंकर दिनके बीत जानेपर जब सूर्यदेव अस्ताचलको चले गये और संध्याकाल उपस्थित हुआ, उस समय समस्त सैनिक जब शिविरमें विश्रामके लिये चल दिये, तब विजयशील श्रीमान् कपिध्वज अर्जुन अपने दिव्यास्त्रोंद्रारा संशप्तकसमूहोंका वध करके अपने उस विजयी रथपर बैठे हुए शिविरकी ओर चले। चलते-चलते ही वे अश्रुगदुगदकण्ठ हो भगवान् गोविन्दसे इस प्रकार बोले---
prāyāt sa śibiraṁ jiṣṇur jaitram āsthāya taṁ ratham | gacchann eva ca govinda sāśrukaṇṭho ’bhyabhāṣata |
Sañjaya said: Arjuna, the unconquered victor, mounted that triumph-bearing chariot and set out for the camp. Even as he was moving on, his throat choked with tears, he addressed Govinda.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even righteous victory in war can carry moral and emotional cost. Arjuna’s tear-choked speech to Govinda highlights the Mahābhārata’s ethical realism: dharma in conflict is complex, and compassion and remorse can coexist with duty.
After the day’s fighting, Arjuna mounts his victorious chariot and heads back to the camp. While still on the way, overwhelmed with emotion, he begins to speak to Kṛṣṇa (Govinda), setting up the next lines of dialogue.