Shloka 58
कर्णार्जुनसमागमः — The Karṇa–Arjuna Confrontation
Cosmic Spectatorship and Vows
ते वध्यमाना: समरे सूतपुत्रेण सृज्जया: । अर्जुन वासुदेव॑ च क्रोशन्ति च मुहुर्मुहु:
te vadhyamānāḥ samare sūtaputreṇa sṛñjayāḥ | arjuna vāsudevaṃ ca krośanti ca muhurmuhuḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Ketika kaum Sṛñjaya sedang ditewaskan di medan perang oleh putera sais kereta (Karna), mereka berkali-kali menjerit memanggil Arjuna dan Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa)—memohon pelindung mereka di tengah pembantaian, tempat keberanian dan dharma diuji di bawah beban perang yang menghimpit.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the extremity of violence, warriors instinctively seek refuge in capable leadership and righteous protection; the verse highlights how, amid the moral pressure of war, dependence on Arjuna’s prowess and Vāsudeva’s guidance becomes a last resort for those overwhelmed.
Karna is cutting down the Sṛñjaya forces on the battlefield. As they are being slain, they repeatedly cry out for Arjuna and for Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa), appealing for rescue and counteraction against Karna’s onslaught.