Shloka 48
प्रयच्छ राज्ञे निहतारिसंघां यशश्च पार्थातुलमाप्त॒हि त्वम् । 'पार्थ! तत्पश्चात् समुद्रसे घिरी हुई नगरों और गाँवोंसे युक्त तथा शत्रुसमुदायसे शून्य यह समृद्धिशालिनी पृथ्वी राजा युधिष्ठिरको दे दो और अनुपम यश प्राप्त करो” ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
prayaccha rājñe nihatāri-saṅghāṃ yaśaś ca pārthātulam āptahi tvam |
sa evam ukto ’tibalo mahātmā cakāra buddhiṃ hi vadhāya sauteḥ |
Disse Sañjaya: “Ó Pārtha! Depois de destruíres a hoste dos inimigos, entrega ao rei Yudhiṣṭhira esta terra próspera—repleta de cidades e aldeias, limitada pelo oceano e pelas montanhas, e agora livre de forças hostis—e assim alcança uma fama incomparável.” Assim exortado, Arjuna, poderosíssimo e de grande alma, resolveu matar o filho do Sūta (Karna). Recordando a sua verdadeira natureza e examinando toda a situação, compreendeu o propósito de sua vinda ao campo de batalha e então falou a Kṛṣṇa em conformidade.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames victory as a means to restore rightful kingship and social order: the warrior’s duty is not mere conquest but the re-establishment of legitimate rule (Yudhishthira) and the protection of a realm made secure. It also highlights the ethical tension of seeking fame through violence, resolved here by presenting the act as dharma-driven—ending hostile forces so governance can return to stability.
Sanjaya reports exhortation directed to Arjuna: after crushing the enemy host, he should hand the prosperous earth to King Yudhishthira and gain unmatched renown. Hearing such urging, Arjuna—mighty and noble—forms a firm resolve to slay Karna (the sūta’s son), recollects his own role and purpose in the battle, and prepares to speak to Krishna about the course of action.