Shloka 2
अजुन उवाच मा त्वं राजन् व्याहर व्याहरस्व यस्तिष्ठसे क्रोशमात्रे रणाद् वै । भीमस्तु मार्महति गर्हणाय यो युध्यते सर्वलोकप्रवीरै:
arjuna uvāca mā tvaṁ rājan vyāhara vyāharasva yas tiṣṭhase krośamātre raṇād vai | bhīmas tu mārmahati garhaṇāya yo yudhyate sarvalokapravīraiḥ ||
Arjuna said: “O King, do not speak so—rather, speak as one who stands only a krosa’s distance from the battle. Bhima strikes at the vital points, inviting censure; for he is fighting against heroes renowned throughout all the worlds.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between victory and righteous conduct in war: even in a life-and-death battle, methods that target vulnerable points (marma) can be viewed as blameworthy, and a warrior’s speech and stance should match the gravity and proximity of the battlefield.
Arjuna addresses a king near the battlefield, rebuking him for speaking in a way that seems detached from the immediate danger. He comments that Bhima is fighting celebrated heroes and is using harsh, potentially censurable tactics—striking at vital points—amid the intense combat.