Shloka 25
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
ऋषभ दुन्दुभिग्रीवं तीक्षणश्द्ढं प्रहारिणम् । वत्स आह्वयसे युद्धे कर्ण पार्थ धनंजयम्
ṛṣabha-dundubhi-grīvaṃ tīkṣṇa-śṛṅgaṃ prahāriṇam | vatsa āhvayase yuddhe karṇa pārtha-dhanañjayam ||
Sanjaya berkata: “Wahai Karna, anakku! Engkau mencabar Arjuna—Pārtha, Dhanañjaya—ke medan perang, dia laksana lembu jantan perkasa: suaranya dalam seperti gema gendang dundubhi, bertanduk tajam, dan mahir menghentam.” Nada etika di sebaliknya mengingatkan betapa berbahayanya memprovokasi pahlawan yang telah terbukti kekuatan serta disiplinnya; keangkuhan mudah membawa kepada keterlanjuran dalam arus perang yang memusnahkan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse functions as a caution: do not underestimate a tested opponent. Ethical restraint and clear-eyed judgment are implied—prideful provocation in war can hasten one’s downfall when directed at a warrior of established prowess.
Sanjaya addresses Karna, remarking that Karna is calling Arjuna to fight. He heightens Arjuna’s stature through a bull-simile—deep-resonant, sharp-horned, and effective in striking—thereby emphasizing the seriousness and danger of the challenge.