Shloka 26
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
प्रकर्षणाकर्षणा भ्यामनुकर्षविकर्षणै: । आचर्कर्षतुरन्योन्यं जानुभिश्वावजघ्नतु:
prakarṣaṇākarṣaṇābhyām anukarṣavikarṣaṇaiḥ | ācarakarṣatur anyonyaṃ jānubhiś cāvajaghnatuḥ ||
Dengan tolakan dan tarikan yang ganas—menyeret dan memulas satu sama lain berulang kali—mereka bergelut rapat dalam pertarungan jarak dekat. Setiap seorang menimbulkan calar dan luka pada lawannya dengan hentaman bertubi-tubi; dan setelah saling menjatuhkan, mereka menghentak serta menggiling lawan dengan lutut, didorong oleh bara persaingan, bukan oleh kendali diri.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how unchecked passion and rivalry can reduce even the strong to brutal, undisciplined struggle; it implicitly contrasts raw force with the ethical ideal of restraint and rule-bound conduct.
Two opponents are locked in a fierce grapple—pushing, pulling, wrenching, and dragging each other; they cause scratches and wounds, throw each other down, and strike with their knees in a relentless contest.