Shloka 30
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
अरक्ष्यमाण: पार्थेन यदि तिष्ठसि संयुगे । नापक्रामसि वा मूढ सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते
arakṣyamāṇaḥ pārthena yadi tiṣṭhasi saṁyuge | nāpakrāmasi vā mūḍha satyam etad bravīmi te ||
Sañjaya dit : «Insensé ! Si, au cœur du combat, tu demeures debout sans la protection de Pārtha (Arjuna) et ne te retires pas, alors je te frapperai à coup sûr. Je te le dis en vérité.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a battlefield ethic: survival and success depend on proper protection, alliances, and strategic withdrawal when necessary. It also highlights the moral weight of speaking plainly—declaring a harsh truth as a warning rather than flattering with false reassurance.
Sañjaya reports a tense moment in the Karṇa Parva where a combatant is warned that standing in battle without Arjuna’s protection—and refusing to retreat—will lead to certain death at the speaker’s hands. The line functions as a direct threat and a strategic admonition within the ongoing war.