Shloka 48
Rātri-yuddhe Droṇasya prahāraḥ — Bhīmasenasya dhārtarāṣṭra-śūrānām nigrahaḥ
Night Battle: Droṇa’s Assault and Bhīma’s Suppression of Dhārtarāṣṭra Warriors
किरीटमाली बलवान श्वेताश्वः कृष्णसारथि: । मम प्रियश्न॒ सततं दिष्ट्या पार्थ: स जीवति,“जिसके मस्तकपर किरीट शोभा पाता है, जिसके रथमें श्वेत घोड़े जोते जाते हैं, भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण जिसके सारथि हैं तथा जो सदा ही मुझे प्रिय लगता है, वह बलवान् अर्जुन अभी जीवित है, यह सौभाग्यकी बात है
kirīṭamālī balavān śvetāśvaḥ kṛṣṇasārathiḥ | mama priyaś ca satataṃ diṣṭyā pārthaḥ sa jīvati ||
Sañjaya said: “Crowned with his diadem, mighty in strength, drawn by white horses, and guided by Kṛṣṇa as his charioteer—Arjuna, who is ever dear to me, is still alive. By good fortune, he lives.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights confidence and moral reassurance drawn from righteous companionship: Arjuna’s survival is linked not only to his prowess but also to Kṛṣṇa’s guiding presence, suggesting that strength joined with wise, dharmic counsel becomes a source of hope amid chaos.
In the midst of the Drona Parva’s intense fighting, Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra with relief that Arjuna—recognizable by his crown, white-horsed chariot, and Kṛṣṇa as charioteer—is still alive, expressing personal affection and gratitude for this turn of fortune.