Shloka 78
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
तान् दृष्टवा समरे शूरांस्तर्जमानान् परस्परम्
tān dṛṣṭvā samare śūrāṁs tarjayamānān parasparam
Disse Sañjaya: “Ao ver aqueles guerreiros heroicos no campo de batalha, trocando provocações entre si, ele percebeu que o choque era movido não apenas por armas, mas também por orgulho, rivalidade e vontade de dominar—uma escalada que obscurece o juízo e intensifica o perigo ético da guerra.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how verbal provocation and mutual taunting can inflame conflict. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such agitation (born of pride and rivalry) pushes warriors toward harsher choices, making restraint and discernment harder even for the brave.
Sañjaya reports that he sees the heroes in the midst of battle, mutually threatening and challenging one another. The scene sets the tone for an intensifying confrontation where words sharpen hostility alongside weapons.