Shloka 2
Adhyāya 17 — गजयुद्ध-वृत्तान्तः, सहदेव-दुःशासन-संघर्षः, नकुल-कर्ण-समागमः
Elephant-battle account; Sahadeva–Duhshasana clash; Nakula–Karna encounter
संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! तदनन्तर पाण्डव-सेनाके उत्तर भागमें दण्डधारके द्वारा मारे जाते हुए रथी, हाथी, घोड़े और पैदलोंका आर्तनाद गूँज उठा ।। निवर्तयित्वा तु रथं केशवो<र्जुनमब्रवीत् वाहयन्नेव तुरगान् गरुडानिलरंहस:,उस समय भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने अपना रथ लौटाकर गरुड़ और वायुके समान वेगवाले घोड़ोंको हाँकते हुए ही अर्जुनसे कहा--
sañjaya uvāca—rājan! tad-anantaraṁ pāṇḍava-senāke uttara-bhāge daṇḍadhārake dvārā māryamāṇeṣu rathīṣu hastīṣu aśveṣu ca padātiṣu cārtanādo ghoṣaṁ lebhe. nivartayitvā tu rathaṁ keśavo ’rjunam abravīt, vāhayann eva turagān garuḍānilaraṁhasaḥ—tasmin kāle bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇaḥ sva-rathaṁ nivartya garuḍa-vāyu-sadṛśa-vega-vatāṁ aśvān vāhayann arjunam uvāca.
Sanjaya said: O King, thereafter, in the northern sector of the Pandava army, a great cry of anguish resounded as chariot-warriors, elephants, horses, and foot-soldiers were being struck down by the wielder of the staff. Then Keshava, having turned the chariot back, spoke to Arjuna while still driving the horses—swift as Garuda and the wind.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the most violent confusion of war, right action requires alert leadership and purposeful guidance. Krishna’s act of turning the chariot and speaking while still driving underscores dharma as disciplined, timely decision-making rather than hesitation—protecting one’s side and responding to unfolding harm with clarity.
A fierce assault in the Pandava army’s northern sector causes widespread casualties and a loud collective wail. In response, Krishna reverses the chariot and, without pausing the maneuver, addresses Arjuna—setting up immediate tactical or moral instruction in the midst of the battle.