Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 20
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
सकृदेवानतं शेकू रथमभ्यसितु परे । अलभ्य: पुनरश्वैस्तु रथात् सो$तिप्रपादयेत्
sakṛd evānataṃ śeku ratham abhyasitu pare | alabhyaḥ punar aśvais tu rathāt so 'tiprapādayet ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。敵の戦士たちがその戦車を見分けられるのは、初めて近づいて来たその一度きりであった。二度目の機会はない――アルジュナが間合いを詰めるや否や、彼らを戦車から叩き落とし、馬もろともこの世から彼岸へと送り去ったからである。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights decisive execution of duty in a righteous battle context: once the enemy comes within range, hesitation is dangerous, and the protector (Arjuna) acts swiftly to neutralize threats, reflecting kṣatriya-dharma and the priority of safeguarding those under one’s protection.
During the Virāṭa campaign, Arjuna’s chariot closes rapidly on the opposing soldiers. They can identify him only at the first approach; immediately thereafter he overwhelms them, casting them down from their chariots and effectively killing them, leaving no chance for a second engagement.