Shloka 66
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
एवं कृत्वाब्रवीत् पार्थों वासुदेवं धनंजय: । याहि संशप्तकान् कृष्ण कार्यमेतत् परं मम,ऐसा पराक्रम करके कुन्तीपुत्र धनंजयने भगवान् श्रीकृष्णसे कहा--“श्रीकृष्ण! अब संशप्तकोंकी ओर चलिये। इस समय यही मेरा सबसे प्रधान कार्य है”
evaṁ kṛtvābravīt pārtho vāsudevaṁ dhanañjayaḥ | yāhi saṁśaptakān kṛṣṇa kāryam etat paraṁ mama ||
Having thus displayed his prowess, Pārtha (Arjuna), the winner of wealth, addressed Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa): “Kṛṣṇa, drive toward the Saṁśaptakas. This is my foremost duty at this moment.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores prioritization of svadharma in crisis: Arjuna identifies the most urgent battlefield duty and directs Kṛṣṇa accordingly. Ethical action here is not abstract; it is choosing the right immediate responsibility that protects one’s cause and upholds disciplined conduct in war.
After demonstrating valor, Arjuna speaks to his charioteer Kṛṣṇa and orders the chariot toward the Saṁśaptakas—an opposing vowed group—declaring that engaging them is his chief task at that moment.