Shloka 33
देवैरपि हि संयत्तैर्ि भ्रद्धिर्मासशोणितम् । अशक्य: स रथो जेतुं सर्वैरपि युयुत्सभि:
sañjaya uvāca |
prāyāhi śīghraṁ govinda sūtaputra-jighāṁsayā |
“govinda! adya me rathaḥ sajjo bhavatu; tasmin punaḥ śreṣṭhā aśvā yujyantām; mama mahati rathe sarva-prakārāṇy astrāṇi śastrāṇi ca saṁnidhīyatām | aśvārūḍhair vinītāḥ paricālitāś ca aśvā ratha-sambandhi-upakaraṇaiḥ susajjāḥ śīghram ihāgacchantu; tvaṁ ca sūtaputrasya vadhecchayā kṣipram ito niṣkrama” iti |
devair api hi saṁyattair māṁsa-śoṇita-dhāriṇām |
aśakyaḥ sa ratho jetuṁ sarvair api yuyutsubhiḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: «Ve aprisa, Govinda, con la intención de matar al hijo del sūta. “Govinda, que mi carro quede listo al instante. Unce de nuevo los mejores caballos; en mi gran carro dispone toda clase de armas y proyectiles. Que los caballos—adiestrados y ejercitados por jinetes expertos—vengan aquí de inmediato, provistos de todo el atalaje; y tú, con el propósito de dar muerte al hijo del sūta, parte de aquí sin demora”. Pues aun si los propios dioses—armados y ansiosos de combate, llevando cuerpos de carne y sangre—acudieran al campo esforzándose por la victoria, les sería imposible, aunque todos desearan luchar, vencer a Karna junto con su carro.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the terrifying momentum of war where victory seems to hinge on preparation, resolve, and timing, while also showing how heroic reputation can make an opponent appear ‘unconquerable’—a reminder that ethical choices in battle (the intent to kill, the urgency to act) carry grave weight even when framed as duty.
Sanjaya reports a command urging Govinda (Krishna) to ready the chariot immediately—yoking the best horses and arranging weapons—so they can set out quickly with the aim of killing Karna (called ‘sūtaputra’). The narration then underscores Karna’s formidable prowess by saying that even the gods, if they came embodied and battle-ready, could not defeat him along with his chariot.