Shloka 56
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
अथाब्रवीद्धृष्टमना वासुदेवं॑ धनंजय: । पश्य वृष्णिप्रवीरेण क्रीडन्तं कुरुपुज्वम्
athābravīd dhṛṣṭamanā vāsudevaṁ dhanañjayaḥ | paśya vṛṣṇipravīreṇa krīḍantaṁ kurupuṅgavam ||
Lalu Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), dengan hati yang berani, berkata kepada Vāsudeva: “Lihatlah—bahkan ketika berhadapan dengan pahlawan Vṛṣṇi, ia, yang terunggul di antara para Kuru, bertempur seakan-akan sedang bermain.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how confidence in war can slide into heedless pride—treating lethal combat like a game. It implicitly warns that dharma in battle requires clear perception and restraint, not intoxication with prowess.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, encouraged and alert, speaks to Kṛṣṇa and points out a foremost Kuru warrior who appears to be ‘sporting’ while engaging with a leading Vṛṣṇi hero—calling Kṛṣṇa’s attention to the opponent’s demeanor and the unfolding clash.