Shloka 18
चोदयाश्वान् हृषीकेश रथं मम महारथ । नाहत्वा समरे कर्ण निवर्तिष्यति फाल्गुन:,महारथी हृषीकेश! आप मेरे रथ और घोड़ोंको आगे बढ़ाइये। अब अर्जुन समरांगणमें कर्णका वध किये बिना पीछे नहीं लौटेगा
codayāśvān hṛṣīkeśa rathaṁ mama mahāratha | nāhatvā samare karṇaṁ nivartiṣyati phālgunaḥ ||
Arjuna said: “O Hṛṣīkeśa, O great warrior, urge on the horses and drive my chariot forward. Phālguna will not turn back from this battlefield until he has slain Karṇa.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve and accountability in war: once a righteous objective is embraced within the accepted code of battle, wavering and retreat are rejected. It also shows disciplined reliance on one’s charioteer-guide (Kṛṣṇa) while maintaining personal responsibility for the act.
In the Karṇa Parva battle sequence, Arjuna addresses Kṛṣṇa, his charioteer, commanding him to press the horses forward. Arjuna declares a firm vow that he will not withdraw from the fight until Karṇa is slain.