Shloka 18
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
उभौ कट्यां सुपाश्चे तु तक्षवन्तौ च शिक्षितौ । अधोहस्तं स्वकण्ठे तूदरस्योरसि चाक्षिपत्
ubhau kaṭyāṃ supāśce tu takṣavantau ca śikṣitau | adhohastaṃ svakaṇṭhe tūdarasyorasi cākṣipat |
Śrī Kṛṣṇa bersabda: Kedua-dua petarung itu terlatih dan mahir dalam pegangan gusti—mencengkam pinggang dan rusuk, meloloskan diri dengan mengecutkan tubuh, serta mengenakan kuncian yang keras. Mereka menyusupkan tangan ke bawah perut lawan, mengunci bahagian tengah dengan kedua-dua lengan, lalu mengangkat musuh hingga ke paras leher dan dada sebelum menghempaskannya ke tanah.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that combat is not only a matter of brute force but of disciplined training and technique. Such mastery can make action controlled and effective, yet it also reminds the listener that skill amplifies consequences—therefore power and training should be governed by restraint and responsibility.
Kṛṣṇa describes how two wrestlers (combatants) engage using practiced holds: gripping at the waist and sides, slipping out of grips by contracting the body, taking an under-grip beneath the belly, lifting the opponent up toward the neck and chest, and then throwing him down.