Shloka 23
Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure
Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin
अथाब्रवीद वासुदेव: पार्थ कि क्रीडसेडनघ । संशप्तकान् प्रमथ्यैनांस्तत: कर्णवधे त्वर
athābravīd vāsudevaḥ pārtha kiṁ krīḍased anagha | saṁśaptakān pramathyaināṁs tataḥ karṇavadhe tvara ||
Sañjaya said: Then Vāsudeva spoke, “O Pārtha, blameless one—why do you sport as though in play? First crush these Saṁśaptakas, and then hasten your effort toward the slaying of Karṇa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Kṛṣṇa urges Arjuna to replace showmanship with disciplined duty: war is not a stage for play, but a serious responsibility requiring focus on the rightful objective and timely action.
In the midst of battle, Kṛṣṇa (as Arjuna’s charioteer) admonishes Arjuna for seeming to fight as if in sport and instructs him to first subdue the Saṁśaptakas and then quickly proceed toward the decisive task of confronting and killing Karṇa.