Shloka 5
कर्णवधार्थं धनञ्जयस्य प्रतिज्ञा — Arjuna’s resolve for Karṇa’s defeat
विगाहा[ तद् रथानीकं॑ कड्कपत्रै: शिलाशितै: । आससाद ततः पार्थ: सुशर्माणं वरायुधम्,सानपर चढ़ाकर तेज किये हुए कंकपत्रयुक्त बाणोंद्वारा प्रहार करते हुए कुन्तीपुत्र अर्जुन रथियोंकी सेनामें घुसकर श्रेष्ठ आयुध धारण करनेवाले सुशमके पास जा पहुँचे
vigāhya tad rathānīkaṃ kaṅkapatraiḥ śilāśitaiḥ | āsasāda tataḥ pārthaḥ suśarmāṇaṃ varāyudham ||
Sañjaya said: Having plunged into that massed formation of chariot-warriors, Arjuna—the son of Kuntī—struck with keen, stone-whetted arrows fitted with heron-feathers, and then closed in upon Suśarmā, the wielder of excellent weapons.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores purposeful courage guided by kṣatriya-dharma: even amid violent conflict, the warrior’s action is to be disciplined, directed, and aligned with duty rather than uncontrolled aggression.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna breaking into the enemy chariot-formation, striking with sharp feathered arrows, and then advancing directly to confront Suśarmā, a prominent opposing warrior-king.