Shloka 21
तमापतन्तं सहसा किरीटी वैकर्तनं वै तरसाभिपत्य । प्रगृह्य वेग न््यपतज्जवेन नागं गरुत्मानिव चित्रपक्ष:,कर्णको सहसा आते देख किरीटधारी अर्जुन भी तीव्र गतिसे आगे बढ़कर जैसे विचित्र पंखवाले गरुड़ किसी नागपर जोरसे आक्रमण करते हों, उसी प्रकार बड़े वेगसे उसपर टूट पड़े
tam āpatantaṃ sahasā kirīṭī vaikartanaṃ vai tarasābhipatya | pragṛhya vegaṃ nyapatajjavena nāgaṃ garutmān iva citrapakṣaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Seeing Karṇa (the son of Sūrya) rushing in suddenly, the diademed Arjuna sprang forward with force. Seizing the momentum, he struck down upon him with swift speed—like Garuḍa of variegated wings swooping upon a serpent. The scene underscores the warrior’s duty to meet an oncoming assault without hesitation, matching aggression with controlled prowess rather than fear.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma: when confronted by sudden aggression, a warrior must respond decisively and with disciplined strength. Courage here is not reckless rage but controlled readiness to protect honor and duty.
Karṇa charges suddenly; Arjuna, identified as Kirīṭī, surges forward and attacks with great speed. The poet compares Arjuna’s swift assault to Garuḍa swooping down upon a serpent.