Shloka 24
दृष्टवा विषक्त कौन्तेयं कृतवर्मरथं प्रति । चिन्तयामास वार्ष्णेयो न न: कालात्ययो भवेत्,कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनको कृतवर्माके रथसे उलझे हुए देखकर भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने मन-ही- मन सोचा कि हमलोगोंका अधिक समय यहीं न व्यतीत हो जाय
dṛṣṭvā viṣaktaṁ kaunteyaṁ kṛtavarmarathaṁ prati | cintayāmāsa vārṣṇeyo na naḥ kālātyayo bhavet ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Arjuna, son of Kuntī, locked in close engagement against the chariot of Kṛtavarmā, Kṛṣṇa of the Vṛṣṇi line reflected inwardly, “May we not lose too much time here.” The moment underscores the ethical urgency of right action in war: even valor must be guided by timely judgment and responsibility to the larger duty at hand.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in righteous battle, action must be governed by timely discernment: getting drawn into a single engagement can endanger the larger duty. Kṛṣṇa’s inner reflection highlights responsible leadership—valor is not enough without awareness of time, priorities, and consequences.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna has become closely engaged with Kṛtavarmā’s chariot. Observing this, Kṛṣṇa thinks to himself that they should not spend excessive time there, implying a need to move on to the next strategic objective.