Shloka 3
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms
तस्मान्महद् भयं तीव्रममित्रघ्नाद् धनंजयात् | स यत् तत्राकरोत् पार्थस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय,इसलिये उन शत्रुनाशक धनंजयसे मुझे अत्यन्त तीव्र एवं महान् भय बना रहता है। अतः संजय! वहाँ कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनने जो कुछ किया हो, वह मुझे बताओ
tasmān mahad bhayaṁ tīvram amitraghnād dhanaṁjayāt | sa yat tatrākarot pārthas tan mamācakṣva saṁjaya ||
Therefore a great and piercing fear grips me because of Dhanañjaya, the slayer of foes. So, Sañjaya, tell me what Pārtha (Arjuna), the son of Kuntī, did there—what course of action he took in that moment of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a leader’s inner state—especially fear—shapes decision-making in crisis. It also underscores the ethical weight of truthful reporting: Sañjaya is asked to narrate events accurately, so judgment and action can be grounded in reality rather than rumor or panic.
A Kaurava leader (contextually, Duryodhana) expresses intense fear of Arjuna’s prowess and urges Sañjaya to report exactly what Arjuna did on the battlefield at that point, seeking clarity about the unfolding combat situation.