Shloka 3
Bhagadatta’s Astra and the Fall of the Prāgjyotiṣa King (भगदत्त-वधः / वैष्णवास्त्र-प्रसङ्गः)
ततः श्वेतहयः कृष्णमब्रवीदजितं जय: । एष मां भ्रातृभि: सार्थ सुशर्मा55ह्वयतेडच्युत,तब श्वेतवाहन अर्जुनने अपराजित श्रीकृष्णसे इस प्रकार कहा, “अच्युत! यह भाइयोंसहित सुशर्मा मुझे पुनः युद्धके लिये बुला रहा है
tataḥ śvetahayaḥ kṛṣṇam abravīd ajitaṃ jayaḥ | eṣa māṃ bhrātṛbhiḥ sārthaṃ suśarmā hvayate 'cyuta ||
Then Arjuna, the unconquered hero whose chariot bore white horses, addressed Kṛṣṇa: “O Acyuta, Suśarmā, together with his brothers, is challenging me again to battle.” The moment underscores the warrior’s obligation to answer a formal summons in war, while placing the decision and action within the disciplined partnership of Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in a battlefield context: a warrior is expected to meet a direct martial challenge, yet the response is framed through disciplined counsel and coordination with Kṛṣṇa, emphasizing duty guided by right judgment rather than impulsive pride.
Arjuna informs Kṛṣṇa that Suśarmā, accompanied by his brothers, is calling him out for combat again—setting up an immediate engagement and signaling that the Trigarta leader is actively seeking a duel or focused confrontation with Arjuna.