Shloka 41
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
अजुन उवाच लोहिताश्वमरिष्टं यं वैयाप्रमनुपश्यसि । नीलां पताकामारश्रित्य रथे तिष्ठन्तमुत्तर
arjuna uvāca | lohitāśvam ariṣṭaṃ yaṃ vaiyāpram anupaśyasi | nīlāṃ patākām āśritya rathe tiṣṭhantam uttara |
Arjuna berkata: “Uttara, orang tua yang mulia lagi membawa tuah yang engkau lihat di sana—di atas kereta yang ditarik kuda-kuda kemerah-merahan dan mengibarkan panji biru—itulah Kṛpa. Itulah pasukan pilihannya. Pandulah aku ke bahagian itu; akan segera kutunjukkan kepada Kṛpa, yang termasyhur dengan busurnya yang teguh, penguasaan senjata yang sebenar.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield discernment and resolve: a warrior must accurately recognize leaders and standards, then act decisively according to kṣatriya-duty, even when facing revered elders like Kṛpa.
During the Virāṭa episode’s battle, Arjuna directs Prince Uttara to drive the chariot toward Kṛpācārya’s division, identifying him by his reddish horses and blue banner, and declares his intent to demonstrate superior weapon-skill against him.