Shloka 683
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
संसक्तान् पाण्डवैर्दष्टवा निवृत्ता: कुरव: पुनः । उस समय शकुनि, कृतवर्मा, अश्वत्थामा, कर्ण और कृपाचार्यको पाण्डवोंके साथ जूझते देख भागे हुए कौरव-सैनिक फिर लौट आये
saṁsaktān pāṇḍavair dṛṣṭvā nivṛttāḥ kuravaḥ punaḥ | tadā śakuni-kṛtavarmā-aśvatthāmā-karṇa-kṛpācāryān pāṇḍavaiḥ saha yudhyamānān dṛṣṭvā palāyitāḥ kaurava-sainikāḥ punar nyavartanta |
Sañjaya dit : Voyant leurs chefs engagés dans un combat rapproché contre les Pāṇḍava, les Kaurava qui s’étaient détournés en fuyant revinrent encore une fois. Alors, lorsque les soldats kaurava virent Śakuni, Kṛtavarmā, Aśvatthāmā, Karṇa et le maître Kṛpācārya aux prises avec les Pāṇḍava, la honte et la fidélité l’emportèrent sur la peur, et ils reprirent place dans la mêlée.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the presence and example of leaders can restore morale: even soldiers who fled may return when they see their chiefs standing firm. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of overcoming fear through honor, loyalty, and responsibility in a time of crisis.
During the battle, some Kaurava troops had retreated. When they saw Śakuni, Kṛtavarmā, Aśvatthāmā, Karṇa, and Kṛpācārya intensely fighting the Pāṇḍavas, those soldiers turned back and re-entered the fight.