Shloka 25
तमद्याहं पाण्डवं युद्धशौण्ड- ममृष्यमाणो भवता चानुशिष्ट: । आशीदविपष॑ दृष्टिहरं सुघोरं शूरं शक्ष्याम्यस्त्रबलान्निहन्तुम्,“आज यदि आपकी आज्ञा हो तो मैं अमर्षमें भरकर दृष्टि हर लेनेवाले विषधर सर्पके समान अत्यन्त भयंकर युद्धकुशल शूरवीर पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनको अपने अस्त्रबलसे मार सकूँगा”
tam adyāhaṁ pāṇḍavaṁ yuddhaśauṇḍam amṛṣyamāṇo bhavatā cānuśiṣṭaḥ | āśīviṣaṁ dṛṣṭiharaṁ sughoraṁ śūraṁ śakṣyāmy astrabalān nihantum ||
Sañjaya said: “Today, if instructed by you, I—burning with indignation and acting under your command—will be able to strike down that Pāṇḍava, the battle-hardened warrior. Like a most dreadful venomous serpent that steals one’s sight, that heroic Arjuna can be slain by the force of my weapons.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: personal resentment (amṛṣyamāṇaḥ) is being framed as legitimate action when placed under a superior’s command (anuśiṣṭaḥ). It shows how obedience and martial pride can intensify violence, even against a renowned hero, raising questions about motive versus duty.
Sañjaya reports a warrior’s boastful resolve to kill Arjuna that very day, if ordered. Arjuna is portrayed as terrifying and formidable—likened to a dreadful venomous serpent—yet the speaker claims confidence that weapon-power can overcome him.