Shloka 42

Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ

Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation

Devanagari script

असम्भ्रमस्तु समरे वध्यमान: शितै: शरै: । ऐन्द्रमस्त्रं च वार्ष्णेयो योजयामास भारत

Transliteration

asambhramas tu samare vadhyamānaḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ | aindram astraṃ ca vārṣṇeyo yojayāmāsa bhārata ||

Translation

Wahai Bhārata, meski dihujani anak panah tajam di medan laga, Vārṣṇeya (Kṛṣṇa) tetap tanpa gentar; ia pun mengerahkan Senjata Indra (Aindra-astra).

Word by Word

असम्भ्रमःunperturbedness, calmness

तुbut, however

समरेin battle

वध्यमानःbeing struck/being slain (i.e., being attacked)

शितैःwith sharp

शरैःarrows

ऐन्द्रम्Indra's, belonging to Indra

अस्त्रम्weapon (missile)

चand

वार्ष्णेयःthe Vārṣṇeya (Krishna)

योजयामासhe employed/applied (set in motion)

भारतO Bhārata (descendant of Bharata)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Bhārata (Dhṛtarāṣṭra as addressee)

Vārṣṇeya (Kṛṣṇa)

Aindra-astra (Indra’s weapon)

arrows (śara)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights asambhrama—steadiness under pressure. Ethical strength in war is not mere aggression but disciplined self-control: even when endangered, one should act without panic, applying skill and judgment in accordance with one’s duty.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Kṛṣṇa, though assailed by sharp arrows in the midst of combat, remains unshaken and proceeds to deploy the Aindra (Indra’s) weapon, indicating a tactical escalation carried out with calm mastery.