Shloka 56
अथाब्रवीद्धृष्टमना वासुदेवं॑ धनंजय: । पश्य वृष्णिप्रवीरेण क्रीडन्तं कुरुपुज्वम्
athābravīd dhṛṣṭamanā vāsudevaṁ dhanañjayaḥ | paśya vṛṣṇipravīreṇa krīḍantaṁ kurupuṅgavam ||
Sañjaya said: Then Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), his heart made bold, spoke to Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa): “Look—see that foremost of the Kurus sporting as though in play, even while being met by the Vṛṣṇi hero.” The line underscores a warrior’s perilous pride in battle: when combat is treated like sport, ethical discernment and the gravity of violence can be eclipsed, inviting swift reversal of fortune.
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.