Shloka 29
अग्नि और सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी वह अत्यन्त भयंकर बाण कर्णकी भुजाओंसे प्रेरित हो उसके धनुष और प्रत्यंचासे छूटकर आकाशमें जाते ही प्रज्वलित हो उठा ।।
sañjaya uvāca | agni-sūrya-samāna-tejasvī sa atyanta-bhayaṅkaraḥ bāṇaḥ karṇa-bāhubhyāṃ preritaḥ tasya dhanuḥ-pratyancābhyāṃ muktvā ākāśaṃ gata eva prajvalito ’bhavat || taṃ prekṣya dīptaṃ yudhi mādhavas tu tvarānvitaṃ satvarayāiva līlayā | padā viniṣṭhya rathottamaṃ sa prāveśayat pṛthivīṃ kiñcid eva ||
Sañjaya said: A most dreadful arrow, blazing like fire and the sun, driven by Karṇa’s mighty arms, sprang from his bow and string and, the moment it rose into the sky, flared into a fierce radiance. Seeing that flaming missile rushing in with tremendous speed, Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa) on the battlefield—almost as if in play—pressed down with his foot and made the excellent chariot sink slightly into the earth. By that act of protection, the horses—white as moonbeams and adorned with golden trappings—also bent low, as though kneeling upon the ground. Then a great uproar resounded in the heavens, divine words of praise for Madhusūdana were suddenly heard, and as the chariot settled into the earth by the Lord’s effort, showers of celestial flowers fell upon him and divine lion-roars arose.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violent conflict, dharma expresses itself as alert protection and measured action: Kṛṣṇa’s calm, timely intervention preserves life without panic, showing mastery (līlā) and responsibility toward one’s duty and companions.
Karṇa releases a blazing, terrifying arrow. Kṛṣṇa, seeing it rush in, presses the chariot down so it sinks slightly into the earth, thereby averting the missile’s full effect. The heavens respond with acclamation—divine praise, flower showers, and lion-roars—signaling approval of Kṛṣṇa’s protective act.