Shloka 9
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सैन्यप्रशंसा, भेदनवृत्तान्त-प्रश्नः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Praise of the Host and Inquiry after the Breach
क्वार्जुन: क्व स गोविन्द: क्व च मानी वृकोदर: । क्व च ते सुद्ददस्तेषामाह्नयन्ते रणे तदा,वे उस समय रफक्षेत्रमें शत्रुओंको ललकारते हुए इस प्रकार कहते थे, कहाँ है अर्जुन? कहाँ हैं श्रीकृष्ण? कहाँ है घमंडी भीमसेन? और कहाँ हैं उनके सारे सुहृद
kva arjunaḥ kva sa govindaḥ kva ca mānī vṛkodaraḥ | kva ca te suhṛdaḥ sarve śatrūn āhvayante raṇe tadā ||
Sañjaya said: “At that time, on the battlefield, they were challenging the enemy, calling out: ‘Where is Arjuna? Where is that Govinda (Kṛṣṇa)? Where is the proud Vṛkodara (Bhīma)? And where are all their friends?’” The verse underscores the taunting, morale-testing rhetoric of war, where names of revered allies are invoked to provoke confrontation and measure resolve.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic where warriors publicly invoke renowned opponents and their allies to test courage and provoke direct engagement. It reflects how reputation, honor, and psychological pressure function alongside weapons in dharmic warfare.
Sañjaya reports that, during the fighting, combatants were loudly challenging the opposing side by calling out for Arjuna, Kṛṣṇa (Govinda), Bhīma (Vṛkodara), and their companions—an act of taunting meant to draw them into confrontation.