Shloka 48
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
क्षीणायुधे सात्वते युध्यमाने ततोअब्रवीदर्जुनं वासुदेव: । पश्यस्वैनं विरथं युध्यमानं रणे वरं सर्वधनुर्धराणाम्
kṣīṇāyudhe sātvate yudhyamāne tato 'bravīd arjunaṃ vāsudevaḥ | paśyainam virathaṃ yudhyamānaṃ raṇe varaṃ sarvadhanuṣdharāṇām ||
ಸಾತ್ವತ ವೀರನ ಆಯುಧಗಳು ಕ್ಷೀಣವಾದರೂ ಅವನು ಯುದ್ಧಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ, ವಾಸುದೇವನು ಅರ್ಜುನನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದನು—“ನೋಡು, ರಥವಿಲ್ಲದೇಯೂ ಅವನು ಯುದ್ಧಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆ; ರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲ ಧನುರ್ಧರರಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಅವನೇ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠನು.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid righteous warfare, one should recognize and acknowledge extraordinary courage and skill; ethical perception includes seeing merit clearly, not only hostility.
Sañjaya reports that as the Sātvata hero fights with depleted means, Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva) draws Arjuna’s attention to a chariotless warrior still battling fiercely, calling him the foremost among archers.