Shloka 78
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
तान् दृष्टवा समरे शूरांस्तर्जमानान् परस्परम्
tān dṛṣṭvā samare śūrāṁs tarjayamānān parasparam
Sañjaya said: Seeing those heroic warriors on the battlefield, hurling taunts at one another, he observed how the clash was being driven not only by weapons but also by pride, rivalry, and the will to dominate—an escalation that darkens judgment and intensifies the ethical peril of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how verbal provocation and mutual taunting can inflame conflict. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such agitation (born of pride and rivalry) pushes warriors toward harsher choices, making restraint and discernment harder even for the brave.
Sañjaya reports that he sees the heroes in the midst of battle, mutually threatening and challenging one another. The scene sets the tone for an intensifying confrontation where words sharpen hostility alongside weapons.