Shloka 80
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९
Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces
एष नैषादिरश्येति द्विपमुख्येन पाण्डवम्
eṣa naiṣādir aśyeti dvipamukhyena pāṇḍavam
Sañjaya berkata: “Inilah pahlawan Naiṣāda,” lalu menandainya kepada pihak Pāṇḍava dengan menggunakan gajah yang paling utama sebagai petunjuk. Dalam himpitan medan perang, pengecaman para pejuang dan tunggangan mereka menjadi sangat penting—baik untuk strategi, mahupun untuk beban moral: menyasar lawan yang dikenal, bukan memukul secara membuta tuli.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid chaos, ethical warfare presumes discernment: knowing whom one confronts and acting with deliberate intent rather than indiscriminate violence. The verse highlights the importance of clear identification in battle, which underlies accountability and restraint.
Sañjaya reports an on-field identification: a fighter described as a Naiṣāda is pointed out to a Pāṇḍava, with reference to a foremost elephant—suggesting the opponent’s position, mount, or the means by which he is being indicated in the melee.