Shloka 23
एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन पाण्डवेन महात्मना । जयेन सम्पूज्य स पाण्डवं तदा प्रचोदयामास हयान् मनोजवान् । स पाणए्डुपुत्रस्य रथो मनोजव: क्षणेन कर्णस्य रथाग्रतो5भवत्
evam uktas tadā tena pāṇḍavena mahātmanā | jayena sampūjya sa pāṇḍavaṁ tadā pracodayāmāsa hayān manojavān | sa pāṇḍuputrasya ratho manojavaḥ kṣaṇena karṇasya rathāgrato 'bhavat ||
Demikianlah, ketika itu setelah ditegur oleh Pāṇḍava yang berhati besar, sang sais—sambil memuliakan Pāṇḍava dengan laungan “Jaya!”—segera memacu kuda-kuda yang pantas. Dalam sekelip mata, kereta putera Pāṇḍu yang laju itu pun berada tepat di hadapan kereta Karṇa. Saat ini menegaskan ketaatan yang berdisiplin dan tindakan yang bertujuan: kehormatan bukan pada kata-kata semata, tetapi pada khidmat yang segera dan mahir, selaras dengan dharma.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in action: a subordinate (the charioteer) responds to a righteous command with respect and immediacy. Honor (sampūjya) is paired with effective execution (pracodayāmāsa), showing that ethical conduct in war includes disciplined service, readiness, and competence.
After Arjuna speaks, his charioteer respectfully acclaims victory and drives the swift horses forward. Arjuna’s chariot quickly advances and positions itself directly before Karṇa’s chariot, setting the stage for direct confrontation.