Shloka 19
अद्य कर्ण हतं पश्य मच्छर: शकलीकृतम् । मां वा द्रक्ष्यसि गोविन्द कर्णेन निहतं शरै:,गोविन्द! आज आप मेरे बाणोंसे भरकर टुकड़े-टुकड़े हुए कर्णको देखिये। अथवा मुझे ही कर्णके बाणोंसे मरा हुआ देखियेगा
adya karṇa hataṁ paśya maccharaḥ śakalīkṛtam | māṁ vā drakṣyasi govinda karṇena nihataṁ śaraiḥ ||
Arjuna said: “Today, Govinda, behold Karṇa—slain and shattered into pieces by my arrows. Or else you will see me myself, struck down by Karṇa’s shafts. Let this day decide which of us stands by strength and fate in this righteous war.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve in dharma-yuddha: one must act decisively without wavering, accepting that victory or death may result. It also shows Arjuna’s reliance on Govinda (Krishna) as witness and guide, framing personal prowess within a larger moral and providential order.
On the battlefield, Arjuna addresses Krishna, declaring that this very day will bring a decisive outcome in his confrontation with Karna: either Karna will be seen slain and shattered by Arjuna’s arrows, or Arjuna will be seen killed by Karna’s arrows.