Shloka 13
Chapter 40: Śiva in Kirāta Disguise Tests Arjuna
Mūka-vadha and the Contest
युध्येयं येन भीष्मेण द्रोणेन च कृपेण च । सूतपुत्रेण च रणे नित्यं कटुकभाषिणा,उस अस्त्रको पाकर मैं भीष्म, द्रोण, कृपाचार्य तथा सदा कटु भाषण करनेवाले सूतपुत्र कर्णके साथ भी युद्धमें लड़ सकूँ
yudhyeyaṁ yena bhīṣmeṇa droṇena ca kṛpeṇa ca | sūtaputreṇa ca raṇe nityaṁ kaṭukabhāṣiṇā ||
Arjuna disse: «Concede-me esse poder pelo qual, mesmo no campo de batalha, eu possa lutar contra Bhīṣma, Droṇa e Kṛpa; e também contra Karṇa, o filho do cocheiro, sempre áspero no falar.»
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma: even revered elders and teachers may have to be opposed in war when duty and justice require it, and one must seek the inner strength/means to act without being driven by personal animosity.
Arjuna is voicing his determination (and need for empowering means) to be able to fight formidable opponents—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, and Karṇa—explicitly naming them and emphasizing Karṇa’s continual harshness of speech.