Shloka 58
कर्णार्जुनसमागमः — The Karṇa–Arjuna Confrontation
Cosmic Spectatorship and Vows
ते वध्यमाना: समरे सूतपुत्रेण सृज्जया: । अर्जुन वासुदेव॑ च क्रोशन्ति च मुहुर्मुहु:
te vadhyamānāḥ samare sūtaputreṇa sṛñjayāḥ | arjuna vāsudevaṃ ca krośanti ca muhurmuhuḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Mientras los Sṛñjayas eran segados en la batalla por el hijo del auriga (Karna), clamaban una y otra vez por Arjuna y por Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa), invocando a sus protectores en medio de la matanza, donde el valor y el deber se ponen a prueba bajo el peso aplastante de la guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the extremity of violence, warriors instinctively seek refuge in capable leadership and righteous protection; the verse highlights how, amid the moral pressure of war, dependence on Arjuna’s prowess and Vāsudeva’s guidance becomes a last resort for those overwhelmed.
Karna is cutting down the Sṛñjaya forces on the battlefield. As they are being slain, they repeatedly cry out for Arjuna and for Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa), appealing for rescue and counteraction against Karna’s onslaught.