Shloka 583
सव्यसाचिवधाकाडुभक्षी शक्ति रक्षितवान् हि सः | व्यासने कहा--राजन्! बड़े सौभाग्यकी बात है कि संग्राममें कर्णका सामना करके भी अर्जुन अभी जीवित हैं; क्योंकि उसने उन्हींके वधकी इच्छासे अपने पास इन्द्रकी दी हुई शक्ति रख छोड़ी थी
savyasāci-vadhākāṅkṣī śaktiṁ rakṣitavān hi saḥ |
Vyāsa said: O King, it is indeed a matter of great fortune that Arjuna still lives even after facing Karṇa in battle. For Karṇa, intent on killing Savyasācin (Arjuna), had been preserving the divine spear-weapon granted by Indra specifically for that purpose.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outcomes in war hinge not only on valor but also on intention, timing, and the reserved use of extraordinary power. It underscores the precariousness of life in dharma-yuddha, where a single divine weapon held in reserve can determine survival and destiny.
Vyāsa informs Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna’s survival is remarkable because Karṇa had been saving Indra’s gifted Śakti specifically to kill Arjuna; despite confronting Karṇa, Arjuna remains alive at this point.