Shloka 18
दृष्टवा हि बहव: शूरा: शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमा:,प्रयाहि शीघ्र॑ गोविन्द सूतपुत्रजिघांसया । “गोविन्द! अब मेरा रथ तैयार हो। उसमें पुनः उत्तम घोड़े जोते जायँ और मेरे उस विशाल रथमें सब प्रकारके अस्त्र-शस्त्र सजाकर रख दिये जायाँ। अअभ्वारोहियोंद्वारा सिखलाये और टहलाये गये घोड़े रथसम्बन्धी उपकरणोंसे सुसज्जित हो शीघ्र यहाँ आवें और आप सूतपुत्रके वधकी इच्छासे जल्दी ही यहाँसे प्रस्थान कीजिये”
dṛṣṭvā hi bahavaḥ śūrāḥ śakra-tulya-parākramāḥ | prayāhi śīghraṃ govinda sūta-putra-jighāṃsayā ||
Disse Sañjaya: “Vendo que muitos heróis, de bravura igual à de Indra, estão presentes, parte já, ó Govinda—apressa-te a sair com a resolução de abater o ‘filho do cocheiro’ (Karna).” O verso transmite a urgência do campo de batalha: exige ação decisiva, com uma intenção ao mesmo tempo estratégica e moralmente carregada, para pôr fim a um adversário formidável cuja presença prolonga a matança.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of decisive leadership in war: when formidable forces are assembled and the stakes are high, hesitation can magnify harm. It reflects the kṣatriya context where swift, purposeful action—however grim—is treated as a duty-bound necessity to end a destructive threat.
Sañjaya reports an urgent exhortation addressed to Govinda (Kṛṣṇa): seeing many mighty warriors, he is told to depart immediately with the intention of killing the sūtaputra, i.e., Karna. The focus is on rapid mobilization and the tactical aim of removing Karna from the battlefield.