Shloka 102
ततः कृष्णोडर्जुनं दृष्टवा कर्णास्त्रेण च पीडितम् | अभ्यसेत्यब्रवीत् पार्थमातिष्ठास्त्रं ब्रजेति च
tataḥ kṛṣṇo ’rjunaṃ dṛṣṭvā karṇāstreṇa ca pīḍitam | abhyasetya bravīt pārtham ātiṣṭhāstraṃ brajeti ca |
Sañjaya said: Then Kṛṣṇa, seeing Arjuna hard-pressed by Karṇa’s missile, drew near and told Pārtha, “Press on—do not cease discharging your weapons. Take up the superior astras and advance.” The counsel frames battle not as rage, but as disciplined, purposeful action under guidance, where steadiness and right means are required to meet a grave threat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When overwhelmed by a powerful threat, one should not collapse into fear or confusion; instead, remain steady, employ the right means with discernment, and act decisively under wise guidance. Kṛṣṇa’s exhortation emphasizes disciplined effort and strategic use of one’s best resources in the service of duty.
In the Karṇa Parva battle sequence, Arjuna is being severely pressured by Karṇa’s weapon. Seeing this, Kṛṣṇa urges Arjuna to keep up the counterattack, use superior astras, and advance rather than retreat, reinforcing momentum and resolve in the duel.