Shloka 43
Irāvān-nidhana-anantaraṃ Ghaṭotkaca-nādaḥ
After Irāvān’s fall: Ghaṭotkaca’s roar and the clash with Duryodhana
ततो राज्ञां बहुशतैर्गजाश्वरथयायिभि: । संवृतं समरे भीष्म देवैरपि दुरासदम्,वासुदेवमुवाचेदं कौन्तेय: श्वेतवाहन: । तदनन्तर हाथी, घोड़े और रथपर यात्रा करनेवाले करोड़ों राजाओंसे घिरे हुए भीष्म, जो युद्धमें देवताओंके लिये भी दुर्जय थे, आपके पुत्रोंको बचानेके लिये एकमात्र बालक महारथी अभिमन्युको लक्ष्य करके तीव्र वेगसे आगे बढ़े। उनको उस ओर जाते देख श्ैेतवाहन कुन्तीपुत्र अर्जुनने वसुदेवनन्दन भगवान् श्रीकृष्णसे इस प्रकार कहा --
tato rājñāṁ bahuśatair gajāśvarathayāyibhiḥ | saṁvṛtaṁ samare bhīṣmaṁ devair api durāsadam | vāsudevam uvācedaṁ kaunteyaḥ śvetavāhanaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian, melihat Bhīṣma—yang dikepung ratusan raja penunggang gajah, kuda, dan kereta, serta sukar ditandingi bahkan oleh para dewa di medan perang—Arjuna putra Kuntī, sang penunggang kuda putih, berkata demikian kepada Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the epic’s ethical tension: even when a warrior like Bhīṣma is nearly unassailable and backed by many kings, right action in war depends on clear counsel and discernment. Arjuna turning to Kṛṣṇa highlights the dharmic ideal that power alone is insufficient; guidance aligned with righteousness is essential.
Sañjaya describes Bhīṣma in the thick of battle, surrounded by numerous royal fighters on elephants, horses, and chariots. At this moment, Arjuna—identified by his epithet ‘Śvetavāhana’—addresses Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva), signaling an imminent strategic or moral exchange in response to Bhīṣma’s formidable presence.