Shloka 15
Adhyāya 61: Saṃmohana-astra and the Kuru Withdrawal (संमोहनास्त्रं तथा कुरुनिवृत्तिः)
धृतिं कृत्वा सुविपुलां राजपुत्र रथे मम । युध्यमानस्य समरे हयान् संयच्छ शत्रुहन्,तुम राजकुमार हो। तुम्हारा कल्याण हो। तुमने मत्स्यनरेशके विख्यात वंशमें जन्म ग्रहण किया है; अतः शत्रुओंके संहारके अवसरपर तुम्हें शिथिल नहीं होना चाहिये। राजपुत्र! तुम तो शत्रुओंका नाश करनेवाले हो, अतः पूर्णरूपसे धैर्य धारण करके रथपर बैठो और युद्ध करते समय मेरे घोड़ोंको काबूमें रखो
dhṛtiṁ kṛtvā suvīpulāṁ rājaputra rathe mama | yudhyamānasya samare hayān saṁyaccha śatruhan ||
Arjuna said: “O prince, steady yourself with abundant courage. Mount my chariot and, while I fight in the thick of battle, keep my horses firmly under control, O slayer of foes.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dhṛti—firm courage and mental steadiness—paired with disciplined action. Even amid fear and chaos, one should not become lax at the decisive moment; instead, one should perform one’s role with self-control and competence in service of dharma.
On the battlefield episode of Virāṭa Parva, Arjuna addresses the young prince (Uttara) and commands him to take heart, sit on the chariot, and control the horses while Arjuna engages the enemy—assigning the prince a practical supporting duty essential for victory.