Shloka 3
Kṛṣṇopadeśa and Duryodhana’s Challenge
Droṇa-parva, Adhyāya 77
अर्जुन बोले--मधुसूदन! दुर्योधनके जिन छः महारथियोंको आप बलमें अधिक मानते हैं, उनका पराक्रम मेरे आधेके बराबर भी नहीं है, ऐसा मेरा विश्वास है। जयद्रथके वधकी इच्छासे मेरे युद्ध करते समय आप देखेंगे कि मैंने इन सबके अस्त्रोंको अपने अस्त्रसे काट गिराया है ।। द्रोणस्य मिषतश्चाहं सगणस्य विलप्यत: । मूर्धानं सिन्धुराजस्य पातयिष्यामि भूतले,मैं द्रोणाचार्यके देखते-देखते अपने सैनिकोंसहित विलाप करते हुए सिन्धुराज जयद्रथका मस्तक पृथ्वीपर गिरा दूँगा
arjuna uvāca—madhusūdana! duryodhanena ye ṣaḍ mahārathā balavattare matāḥ, teṣāṁ parākramaḥ mama ardhena api na tulya iti me niścayaḥ. jayadrathavadha-icchayā mayi yudhyamāne tvaṁ drakṣyasi—eteṣāṁ sarveṣām astrāṇi mayā svair astrāiś chittvā nipātitāni. droṇasya miṣataś cāhaṁ sagaṇasya vilapyataḥ mūrdhānaṁ sindhurājasya pātayiṣyāmi bhūtale.
Arjuna said: “Madhusūdana! As for the six great chariot-warriors whom Duryodhana considers superior in strength, I am convinced their prowess does not even equal half of mine. When I fight with the resolve to slay Jayadratha, you will see me cut down and cast aside all their missiles with my own. Even while Droṇa looks on, and while Jayadratha’s followers wail around him, I shall strike down the head of the king of Sindhu to the ground.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: a warrior’s fierce vow and confidence are framed not as mere pride but as a purposeful resolve tied to a specific objective (Jayadratha’s death). It also shows reliance on Kṛṣṇa’s presence—moral and strategic support—while emphasizing disciplined mastery (countering weapons with weapons) rather than indiscriminate violence.
Arjuna addresses Kṛṣṇa, declaring that the elite fighters Duryodhana trusts cannot match him. He vows that, driven by the intent to kill Jayadratha, he will neutralize all opponents’ missiles and, even under Droṇa’s gaze and amid the lamentations of Jayadratha’s followers, bring Jayadratha’s head down to the earth.