Shloka 18
दृष्टवा हि बहव: शूरा: शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमा:
dṛṣṭvā hi bahavaḥ śūrāḥ śakra-tulya-parākramāḥ | prayāhi śīghraṃ govinda sūta-putra-jighāṃsayā ||
Dijo Sañjaya: «Viendo que muchos héroes, iguales a Indra en valentía, están presentes, parte al instante, oh Govinda: apresúrate a salir con la resolución de abatir al “hijo del auriga” (Karna)». El verso transmite la urgencia del campo de batalla: se exige una acción decisiva, con una intención a la vez estratégica y cargada de sentido moral, para poner fin a un adversario formidable cuya permanencia prolonga la matanza.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of decisive leadership in war: when formidable forces are assembled and the stakes are high, hesitation can magnify harm. It reflects the kṣatriya context where swift, purposeful action—however grim—is treated as a duty-bound necessity to end a destructive threat.
Sañjaya reports an urgent exhortation addressed to Govinda (Kṛṣṇa): seeing many mighty warriors, he is told to depart immediately with the intention of killing the sūtaputra, i.e., Karna. The focus is on rapid mobilization and the tactical aim of removing Karna from the battlefield.