Shloka 51
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
ते हयाश्रन्द्रसंकाशा: केशवेन प्रचोदिता: । आपिबन्त इव व्योम जम्मुद्रौणिरथं प्रति,भगवान् श्रीकृष्णके द्वारा हाँके गये वे चन्द्रमाके समान श्वेत रंगवाले घोड़े अश्वत्थामाके रथकी ओर इस प्रकार दौड़े, मानो आकाशको पीते जा रहे हों
te hayāḥ śaśicandrasadṛśāḥ keśavena pracoditāḥ | āpibanta iva vyoma jamadrauṇirathaṁ prati ||
Sañjaya said: Urged on by Keśava (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), those horses—white and radiant like the moon—rushed toward Aśvatthāmā’s chariot, as though they were drinking up the very sky. The image underscores Kṛṣṇa’s steady, purposeful charioteering amid the fury of war, where speed and resolve become instruments of a larger, disciplined strategy.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined action under wise guidance: Kṛṣṇa’s controlled charioteering symbolizes purposeful effort in chaos—speed and power are ethically meaningful when directed by steadiness, clarity, and right intent rather than rage.
Sañjaya describes Kṛṣṇa driving Arjuna’s team of bright, moon-like horses swiftly toward Aśvatthāmā’s chariot; the simile ‘as if drinking the sky’ intensifies the sense of rapid, forceful advance in the battle.