Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु माधवो<र्जुनमब्रवीत्,इसी समय श्रीकृष्णने अर्जुनसे कहा--'पार्थ! वह देखो, द्रोणकुमार अभश्वत्थामा धृष्टद्युम्नके वधके लिये कैसा महान् प्रयत्न कर रहा है? वह इन्हें मार सकता है, इसमें संशय नहीं है
etasmīn eva kāle tu mādhavo 'rjunam abravīt | "pārtha! paśya, droṇakumāro 'śvatthāmā dhṛṣṭadyumnavadhe kīdṛśaṁ mahān prayatnaṁ karoti. sa enam hantuṁ śaknoti, atra saṁśayo na vidyate" ||
Sañjaya disse: “Naquele exato momento, Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa) falou a Arjuna: ‘Pārtha, olha—Aśvatthāmā, o filho de Droṇa, faz um esforço tremendo para matar Dhṛṣṭadyumna. Ele é capaz de matá-lo; não há dúvida.’”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights vigilance and responsibility in dharma-yuddha: when a grave threat to an ally is clearly imminent, one must not remain passive. Kṛṣṇa’s counsel frames ethical action in war as timely protection and strategic awareness, not mere valor.
During the battle, Kṛṣṇa points out to Arjuna that Aśvatthāmā (son of Droṇa) is exerting himself intensely to kill Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and that he is fully capable of doing so. The statement signals an urgent turning point requiring Arjuna’s attention.