Shloka 15
अजुन उवाच इदानीमेव तावत् त्वमपयातो रणान्मम । तेन जीवसि राधेय निहतस्त्वनुजस्तव,अर्जुन बोले-राधापुत्र! अभी कुछ ही देर पहलेकी बात है, मेरे सामने युद्धसे पीठ दिखाकर तू भाग गया था, इसीलिये अबतक जी रहा है; किंतु तेरा छोटा भाई मारा गया
arjuna uvāca | idānīm eva tāvat tvam apayāto raṇān mama | tena jīvasi rādheya nihatas tv anujas tava ||
Arjuna said: “Only a short while ago you turned away and withdrew from the battle before me. For that reason you are still alive, O son of Rādhā; but your younger brother has been slain.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-code ethic that turning away from battle is seen as a loss of honor and invites reproach; survival gained through retreat is contrasted with the irreversible cost borne by one’s kin, underscoring accountability and the moral weight of choices in war.
Arjuna addresses Rādheya (Karṇa) directly, reminding him that he recently retreated from combat in Arjuna’s presence—hence he remains alive—while stating that Karṇa’s younger brother has been killed, using this as a pointed challenge and humiliation in the martial exchange.