Shloka 11
संजय उवाच एतच्चिकीर्षितं ज्ञात्वा कर्णस्य मधुसूदन: । नियोजयामास तदा द्वैरथे राक्षसेश्वरम्,संजयने कहा--राजन! कर्ण भी उस शक्तिसे अर्जुनका ही वध करना चाहता था। उसके इस अभिप्रायको जानकर परम बुद्धिमान् मधुसूदन भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने उस अमोघ शक्तिको नष्ट करनेके लिये ही कर्णके साथ द्वैरथ युद्धमें उस समय महापराक्रमी राक्षसराज घटोत्कचको लगाया। महाराज! यह सब आपकी कुमन्त्रणाका ही फल है
sañjaya uvāca etac cikīrṣitaṃ jñātvā karṇasya madhusūdanaḥ | niyojayāmāsa tadā dvairathe rākṣaseśvaram ||
Sañjaya said: Knowing this intention of Karṇa, Madhusūdana (Kṛṣṇa) then deployed the lord of the Rākṣasas in that chariot-duel, so that Karṇa’s unfailing weapon might be spent and rendered ineffective. The episode underscores Kṛṣṇa’s strategic protection of Arjuna and the moral weight of counsel and responsibility in war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent, dharma-aligned strategy: Kṛṣṇa anticipates Karṇa’s lethal intent and arranges circumstances so the most dangerous weapon is neutralized, emphasizing responsibility in counsel and action during war.
Sañjaya explains that Kṛṣṇa, understanding Karṇa’s plan, sends the Rākṣasa-king Ghaṭotkaca into a chariot duel with Karṇa, aiming to force the expenditure of Karṇa’s unfailing weapon and thereby safeguard Arjuna.