Shloka 18
क्षेममद्य भवेदेवमेषा मे नैप्ठकी मति: । “तुम युद्धस्थलमें ब्राह्मण कृपाचार्यको छोड़ते हुए धीरे-धीरे जहाँ अर्जुन हैं, उसी ओर चल दो। समरांगणमें अर्जुन अथवा भीमसेनके पास पहुँचकर ही आज मैं सकुशल रह सकता हूँ, ऐसा मेरा दृढ़ विचार है” || १७ ई ।। ततः प्रायान्महाराज सारथिस्त्वरयन् हयान्
kṣemam adya bhaved evam eṣā me naiṣṭhikī matiḥ | “tvaṃ yuddhasthale brāhmaṇaṃ kṛpācāryaṃ parityajya śanaiḥ śanaiḥ yatra arjunaḥ, tatas tad-abhimukhaṃ gaccha | samarāṅgaṇe arjunaṃ vā bhīmasenaṃ vā prāpyaiva adya ahaṃ sukhena bhaviṣyāmi”—iti me dṛḍhaḥ saṅkalpaḥ || tataḥ prāyān mahārāja sārathiḥ tvarayan hayān ||
Sañjaya said: “If things go this way, I shall be safe today—this is my firm and settled resolve. Leaving the Brahmin teacher Kripa behind on the battlefield, drive slowly toward where Arjuna is. Only after reaching Arjuna—or Bhimasena—amid the clash of arms can I hope to remain unharmed today; this is my unwavering conviction.” Then, O King, the charioteer set off, urging the horses on.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a pragmatic ethic in war: when survival depends on positioning and allies, one forms a firm resolve (naiṣṭhikī mati) and acts decisively. It also implicitly contrasts reverence for a Brahmin teacher (Kṛpa) with the harsh necessities of battle, where strategic withdrawal and seeking protection can override customary deference.
A speaker (reported by Sanjaya) instructs the charioteer to leave Kripa behind and move—slowly but purposefully—toward Arjuna’s location, believing safety is possible only upon reaching Arjuna or Bhima in the thick of battle. The charioteer then drives off, urging the horses.