Shloka 45
अभ्यद्रवन्त वेगेन क्षत्रिया: क्षत्रियर्ष भम् । नरसिंहं रथोदारा: सिंहं मत्ता इव द्विपा:,जैसे मतवाले हाथी सिंहपर धावा करते हों, उसी प्रकार वे श्रेष्ठ रथी क्षत्रिय क्षत्रियशिरोमणि नरसिंह अर्जुनपर बड़े वेगसे टूट पड़े थे
sañjaya uvāca |
abhyadravanta vegena kṣatriyāḥ kṣatriyarṣabham |
narasiṃhaṃ rathodārāḥ siṃhaṃ mattā iva dvipāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then the kṣatriya warriors—noble chariot-fighters—charged at great speed against Arjuna, the lion among men and the bull among kṣatriyas, just as intoxicated elephants rush upon a lion. The verse underscores the ferocity of battle and the kṣatriya code of confronting a worthy opponent head-on, even when the adversary is renowned for unmatched prowess.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its battlefield form: warriors are expected to meet a formidable opponent directly, valuing courage and honor even in the face of overwhelming prowess. Ethically, it frames combat as a test of resolve and duty rather than mere aggression.
Sañjaya describes a surge of kṣatriya chariot-warriors charging swiftly at Arjuna. The simile of maddened elephants attacking a lion conveys both their collective force and Arjuna’s feared, lion-like stature on the battlefield.