Shloka 41
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
अजुन उवाच लोहिताश्वमरिष्टं यं वैयाप्रमनुपश्यसि । नीलां पताकामारश्रित्य रथे तिष्ठन्तमुत्तर
arjuna uvāca | lohitāśvam ariṣṭaṃ yaṃ vaiyāpram anupaśyasi | nīlāṃ patākām āśritya rathe tiṣṭhantam uttara |
Arjuna dit : «Uttara, l’aîné de bon augure que tu vois là—sur un char attelé de chevaux rougeâtres et portant une bannière bleue—c’est Kṛpa. Voilà sa troupe d’élite. Conduis-moi vers cette division ; je montrerai bien vite à Kṛpa, fameux pour la fermeté de son arc, la véritable maîtrise des armes.»
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield discernment and resolve: a warrior must accurately recognize leaders and standards, then act decisively according to kṣatriya-duty, even when facing revered elders like Kṛpa.
During the Virāṭa episode’s battle, Arjuna directs Prince Uttara to drive the chariot toward Kṛpācārya’s division, identifying him by his reddish horses and blue banner, and declares his intent to demonstrate superior weapon-skill against him.