Shloka 69
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
एवं तु मनसा राजन् पार्थ: सम्पूज्य कौरवम् | वासुदेव॑ महाबाहुरर्जुन: प्रत्यभाषत,राजन! इस प्रकार मन-ही-मन उस कुरुवंशी वीरकी प्रशंसा करके महाबाहु कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनने भगवान् श्रीकृष्णसे कहा--
evaṁ tu manasā rājan pārthaḥ sampūjya kauravam | vāsudeva mahābāhur arjunaḥ pratyabhāṣata ||
Wahai Raja, setelah demikian menghormati sang pahlawan Kuru dalam batinnya, Arjuna yang berlengan perkasa, putra Pṛthā, pun berbicara kepada Vāsudeva.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, a righteous warrior may inwardly acknowledge an opponent’s excellence; ethical conduct includes respect for valor and truth, while still seeking guidance from the divine charioteer (Kṛṣṇa) for right action.
Sañjaya narrates to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna, after mentally honoring a Kuru hero mentioned in the surrounding context, turns to Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva) and begins to speak—setting up Arjuna’s request or response in the next lines.