Shloka 683
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
संसक्तान् पाण्डवैर्दष्टवा निवृत्ता: कुरव: पुनः । उस समय शकुनि, कृतवर्मा, अश्वत्थामा, कर्ण और कृपाचार्यको पाण्डवोंके साथ जूझते देख भागे हुए कौरव-सैनिक फिर लौट आये
saṁsaktān pāṇḍavair dṛṣṭvā nivṛttāḥ kuravaḥ punaḥ | tadā śakuni-kṛtavarmā-aśvatthāmā-karṇa-kṛpācāryān pāṇḍavaiḥ saha yudhyamānān dṛṣṭvā palāyitāḥ kaurava-sainikāḥ punar nyavartanta |
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ— ପାଣ୍ଡବମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ନିଜ ନାୟକମାନେ ନିକଟ ଯୁଦ୍ଧରେ ଜଡିତ ଥିବାକୁ ଦେଖି ଭୟରେ ପଛୁଆ ହୋଇଥିବା କୌରବମାନେ ପୁଣି ଫେରିଲେ। ସେତେବେଳେ ଶକୁନି, କୃତବର୍ମା, ଅଶ୍ୱତ୍ଥାମା, କର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଓ କୃପାଚାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ପାଣ୍ଡବମାନଙ୍କ ସହ ଯୁଝୁଥିବାକୁ ଦେଖି କୌରବ ସେନାଙ୍କର ଲଜ୍ଜା ଓ ସ୍ୱଧର୍ମବୁଦ୍ଧି ଭୟକୁ ଦମନ କଲା, ଏବଂ ସେମାନେ ପୁଣି ଯୁଦ୍ଧରେ ଯୋଗ ଦେଲେ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the presence and example of leaders can restore morale: even soldiers who fled may return when they see their chiefs standing firm. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of overcoming fear through honor, loyalty, and responsibility in a time of crisis.
During the battle, some Kaurava troops had retreated. When they saw Śakuni, Kṛtavarmā, Aśvatthāmā, Karṇa, and Kṛpācārya intensely fighting the Pāṇḍavas, those soldiers turned back and re-entered the fight.