Shloka 23
एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन पाण्डवेन महात्मना । जयेन सम्पूज्य स पाण्डवं तदा प्रचोदयामास हयान् मनोजवान् । स पाणए्डुपुत्रस्य रथो मनोजव: क्षणेन कर्णस्य रथाग्रतो5भवत्
evam uktas tadā tena pāṇḍavena mahātmanā | jayena sampūjya sa pāṇḍavaṁ tadā pracodayāmāsa hayān manojavān | sa pāṇḍuputrasya ratho manojavaḥ kṣaṇena karṇasya rathāgrato 'bhavat ||
Ainsi, interpellé en ce moment par le magnanime Pāṇḍava, le cocher —honorant le Pāṇḍava d’un cri de « Victoire ! »— lança les chevaux rapides. En un instant, le char du fils de Pāṇḍu, prompt comme la pensée, se trouva juste devant le char de Karṇa. L’instant souligne l’obéissance disciplinée et l’action orientée vers le but : l’honneur ne se dit pas seulement, il se prouve par un service prompt et habile, accordé au devoir.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in action: a subordinate (the charioteer) responds to a righteous command with respect and immediacy. Honor (sampūjya) is paired with effective execution (pracodayāmāsa), showing that ethical conduct in war includes disciplined service, readiness, and competence.
After Arjuna speaks, his charioteer respectfully acclaims victory and drives the swift horses forward. Arjuna’s chariot quickly advances and positions itself directly before Karṇa’s chariot, setting the stage for direct confrontation.