इति कृष्णवच: श्र॒ुत्वा प्रहलन् कपिकेतन: । अर्जुन: प्रत्युवाचेदं कृष्णमक्लिष्टकारिणम्
iti kṛṣṇavacaḥ śrutvā prahasan kapiketanāḥ | arjunaḥ pratyuvācedaṃ kṛṣṇam akliṣṭakāriṇam ||
संजय बोले—श्रीकृष्ण के ये वचन सुनकर कपिध्वज अर्जुन हँस पड़े; फिर बिना विचलित हुए, महान् कर्म करने वाले भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण से इस प्रकार बोले।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights disciplined receptivity to wise counsel: Arjuna hears Kṛṣṇa, regains inner steadiness (shown by the calm smile), and responds thoughtfully. Ethically, it models how a warrior should act from clarity and dharma rather than from agitation or despair.
Sañjaya narrates that after listening to Kṛṣṇa’s words, Arjuna—identified by the Hanumān-emblazoned banner—smiles and then replies to Kṛṣṇa, described as indefatigable. It is a transition line marking the shift from Kṛṣṇa’s counsel to Arjuna’s response.