Shloka 24
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Precedent and Bhīṣma’s Counsel on Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna; Karṇa’s Reply
सनातनौ महात्मानौ कृष्णावेकरथे स्थितौ । दुर्योधन तदा तात स्मर्तासि वचनं मम
sanātanau mahātmānau kṛṣṇāv ekarathe sthitau | duryodhana tadā tāta smartāsi vacanaṃ mama ||
ଯେତେବେଳେ ତୁମେ ଦୁଇ ସନାତନ ମହାତ୍ମା—ଶ୍ରୀକୃଷ୍ଣ ଓ ଅର୍ଜୁନ—କୁ ଏକେ ରଥରେ ଅବସ୍ଥିତ ଦେଖିବ, ସେତେବେଳେ, ହେ ଦୁର୍ଯ୍ୟୋଧନ, ବତ୍ସ, ତୁମେ ମୋ ବଚନ ସ୍ମରଣ କରିବ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse conveys moral inevitability: when righteousness (Arjuna’s disciplined valor) is united with divine wisdom and protection (Kṛṣṇa), unjust ambition and pride (Duryodhana’s stance) will be compelled to recognize the truth—often too late. It functions as a warning against adharma and overconfidence.
Vaiśampāyana reports a pointed address to Duryodhana: he will remember this warning when he later sees Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna together on a single chariot. The image anticipates the battlefield reality where their alliance becomes decisive.