Shloka 48
प्रयच्छ राज्ञे निहतारिसंघां यशश्च पार्थातुलमाप्त॒हि त्वम् । 'पार्थ! तत्पश्चात् समुद्रसे घिरी हुई नगरों और गाँवोंसे युक्त तथा शत्रुसमुदायसे शून्य यह समृद्धिशालिनी पृथ्वी राजा युधिष्ठिरको दे दो और अनुपम यश प्राप्त करो” ।। स एवमुक्तो5तिबलो महात्मा चकार बुद्धिं हि वधाय सौते:,भीमसेन और श्रीकृष्णके इस प्रकार प्रेरणा देने और कहनेपर अत्यन्त बलशाली महात्मा अर्जुनने सूतपुत्रके वधका विचार किया। उन्होंने अपने स्वरूपका स्मरण करके सब बातोंपर दृष्टिपात किया और इस युद्धभूमिमें अपने आगमनके प्रयोजनको समझकर श्रीकृष्णसे इस प्रकार कहा--
sañjaya uvāca |
prayaccha rājñe nihatāri-saṅghāṃ yaśaś ca pārthātulam āptahi tvam |
sa evam ukto ’tibalo mahātmā cakāra buddhiṃ hi vadhāya sauteḥ |
Sañjaya said: “O Partha, having destroyed the host of enemies, hand over this prosperous earth—filled with cities and villages, bounded by the ocean and mountains, and now free of hostile forces—to King Yudhishthira, and thereby attain incomparable fame.” Thus addressed, the exceedingly mighty, great-souled Arjuna resolved upon the slaying of the Sūta’s son (Karna). Recollecting his true nature and surveying the whole situation, he understood the purpose of his coming to the battlefield and then spoke to Krishna accordingly.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames victory as a means to restore rightful kingship and social order: the warrior’s duty is not mere conquest but the re-establishment of legitimate rule (Yudhishthira) and the protection of a realm made secure. It also highlights the ethical tension of seeking fame through violence, resolved here by presenting the act as dharma-driven—ending hostile forces so governance can return to stability.
Sanjaya reports exhortation directed to Arjuna: after crushing the enemy host, he should hand the prosperous earth to King Yudhishthira and gain unmatched renown. Hearing such urging, Arjuna—mighty and noble—forms a firm resolve to slay Karna (the sūta’s son), recollects his own role and purpose in the battle, and prepares to speak to Krishna about the course of action.