Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
एतस्याभिमुखं वीर रथं पररथारुजम् | प्रापयस्वैष राजा हि प्रमाथी युद्धदुर्मद:
etasyābhimukhaṁ vīra rathaṁ pararathārujam | prāpayasvaiṣa rājā hi pramāthī yuddha-durmadaḥ ||
Arjuna said: “O hero, drive this chariot—one that shatters the chariots of foes—straight toward him. For this king is indeed a fierce crusher of enemies, intoxicated with the ardor of battle.”
अजुन उवाच
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of meeting a formidable opponent directly, combining courage with tactical positioning—advancing the chariot to confront the battle-maddened king rather than avoiding engagement.
Arjuna issues a battlefield command to his charioteer/companion, instructing him to drive their powerful chariot straight toward a fierce king described as a destroyer of enemies and intoxicated with war.