Shloka 36
कर्णवधार्थं धनञ्जयस्य प्रतिज्ञा — Arjuna’s resolve for Karṇa’s defeat
स गाढविद्धो व्यथितो रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्
sa gāḍha-viddho vyathito rathopasthe upāviśat | nānā-vāditra-ninadāḥ siṃha-nādāś ca jajñire ||
Sañjaya berkata: Ditembusi dalam oleh anak-anak panah itu dan digoncang kesakitan, Arjuna duduk jatuh di bahagian belakang kereta perangnya. Lalu timbullah hiruk-pikuk besar—orang ramai menjerit kuat, “Arjuna telah terbunuh!” Ketika itu sangkakala ditiup, dentuman berat gendang perang merebak, dan di tengah riuh pelbagai alat bunyi, raungan para pahlawan laksana singa pun bergema.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly collective judgment forms in war: a momentary setback is mistaken for final defeat. Ethically, it cautions against triumph or despair based on appearances and urges steadiness and discernment (viveka) amid the noise of conflict.
Arjuna is struck hard by arrows and, in pain, sits down on the rear part of his chariot. Observers assume he has been killed, and the battlefield erupts with loud cries, conch-blasts, drumbeats, and roaring shouts.