Shloka 19
कर्णवधार्थं धनञ्जयस्य प्रतिज्ञा — Arjuna’s resolve for Karṇa’s defeat
आनमन्नांश्व तथा योधान् शरैरासन्नयोधिभि: । छादयामास समरे केशवं चेदमब्रवीत्,उन्होंने अपने रथपर चढ़े हुए बहुत-से पैदल सैनिकोंको धक्के देकर नीचे गिरा दिया और आस-पास खड़े हुए संशप्तक-योद्धाओंको निकटसे युद्ध करनेमें उपयोगी बाणोंद्वारा ढक दिया एवं समरांगणमें भगवान् श्रीकृष्णसे इस प्रकार कहा--
ānamannāṁśv tathā yodhān śarair āsannayodhibhiḥ | chādayāmāsa samare keśavaṁ cedam abravīt ||
Sañjaya berkata: Di tengah pertempuran, dia menumbangkan para kuda dan para pahlawan dengan anak panah yang sesuai untuk pertarungan jarak dekat, hingga mereka rebah; dan dia menghujani para pejuang yang berada berdekatan dengan hujan panah. Lalu di medan perang, dia berkata kepada Keśava (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) demikian—
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between sheer martial force and the guiding presence of Kṛṣṇa: even amid intense violence, the narrative pivots toward counsel, intention, and moral-strategic direction—suggesting that action in war is not merely physical but also shaped by guidance and purpose.
Sañjaya describes a warrior’s fierce assault: he knocks down foot-soldiers and horses and blankets nearby fighters with arrows effective at close range. Immediately after this display, he turns to speak directly to Keśava (Kṛṣṇa), marking a transition from combat action to an important exchange.