Shloka 7
अर्जुन-कर्ण-सङ्ग्रामः
Arjuna–Karna Engagement in the Cattle-Raid Aftermath
एक: किरातरूपेण स्थितं रुद्रमयोधयत् । अस्मिन्नेव वने पार्थो हृतां कृष्णामवाजयत्
ekaḥ kirātarūpeṇa sthitaṁ rudram ayodhayat | asminn eva vane pārtho hṛtāṁ kṛṣṇām avājayat |
Dijo Kṛpa: «Solo, Arjuna combatió contra Rudra (Śiva), que se le apareció bajo el disfraz de un Kirāta, cazador de las montañas. Y en este mismo bosque, cuando Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) fue raptada, Pārtha venció al raptor y la recobró».
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores steadfast dharma: true heroism is not merely martial skill but the resolve to protect righteousness and honor—whether facing a divine test (Śiva as Kirāta) or rescuing the wronged (Draupadī) despite being alone.
Kṛpa praises Arjuna by recalling two feats: (1) Arjuna’s solitary combat with Śiva who appeared as a Kirāta, and (2) in the same forest, Arjuna’s victory in recovering Draupadī after her abduction—presented as evidence of Arjuna’s exceptional prowess and reliability.