Shloka 20
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
सकृदेवानतं शेकू रथमभ्यसितु परे । अलभ्य: पुनरश्वैस्तु रथात् सो$तिप्रपादयेत्,शत्रुसैनिक अर्जुनका रथ निकट आनेपर उसे एक ही बार पहचान पाते थे; दुबारा इसके लिये उन्हें अवसर नहीं मिलता था; क्योंकि पास आते ही अर्जुन उन्हें घोड़ोंसहित इस लोकसे परलोक भेज देते थे
sakṛd evānataṃ śeku ratham abhyasitu pare | alabhyaḥ punar aśvais tu rathāt so 'tiprapādayet ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Los guerreros enemigos sólo podían reconocer aquel carro una sola vez, cuando se acercaba por primera vez. No tenían una segunda oportunidad, pues en cuanto Arjuna se les echaba encima, los derribaba de sus carros y los enviaba, junto con sus caballos, de este mundo al otro.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights decisive execution of duty in a righteous battle context: once the enemy comes within range, hesitation is dangerous, and the protector (Arjuna) acts swiftly to neutralize threats, reflecting kṣatriya-dharma and the priority of safeguarding those under one’s protection.
During the Virāṭa campaign, Arjuna’s chariot closes rapidly on the opposing soldiers. They can identify him only at the first approach; immediately thereafter he overwhelms them, casting them down from their chariots and effectively killing them, leaving no chance for a second engagement.