Shloka 18
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 29 — Arjuna’s defeat of Vṛṣaka–Acalā and the neutralization of Śakuni’s māyā
उरसा प्रतिजग्राह पार्थ संच्छाद्य केशव:,भगदत्तका छोड़ा हुआ वह अस्त्र सबका विनाश करनेवाला था। भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने अर्जुनको ओटमें करके स्वयं ही अपनी छातीपर उसकी चोट सह ली
urasā pratijagrāha pārthaṃ saṃchādya keśavaḥ
Sañjaya said: Keśava (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), shielding Pārtha (Arjuna), received the blow upon his own chest. The missile released by Bhagadatta was said to be capable of destroying all; yet the Lord placed himself in front, accepting the danger to protect his devotee and uphold the righteous cause in the midst of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights protective devotion and self-sacrifice: Kṛṣṇa places himself before Arjuna, showing that safeguarding the righteous and one’s dependent is a higher ethical commitment than personal safety, especially when dharma is at stake.
During the battle, Bhagadatta releases a fearsome missile. Kṛṣṇa (Keśava) covers Arjuna (Pārtha) and receives the impact on his own chest, preventing harm to Arjuna.