Shloka 41
Adhyāya 55: Pārtha–Rādheya Saṃvāda and Tactical Exchange
Chapter 55
अजुन उवाच लोहिताश्वमरिष्टं यं वैयाप्रमनुपश्यसि । नीलां पताकामारश्रित्य रथे तिष्ठन्तमुत्तर,अर्जुन बोले--उत्तर! जिनके लाल-लाल घोड़े हैं, जिन शुभस्वरूप महापुरुषको तुम बाघम्बर पहने देख रहे हो, जो अपने रथपर नीले रंगकी पताका फहराकर बैठे हुए हैं, वे कृपाचार्यजी हैं और वहीं यह उनकी श्रेष्ठ सेना है। मुझे इसी सेनाके पास ले चलो। मैं इन दृढ़ धनुषवाले कृपाचार्यजीको शीघ्र अस्त्र चलानेकी कला दिखलाऊँगा
arjuna uvāca | lohitāśvam ariṣṭaṃ yaṃ vaiyāpram anupaśyasi | nīlāṃ patākām āśritya rathe tiṣṭhantam uttara |
Arjuna disse: “Uttara, o ancião auspicioso que vês ali—num carro puxado por cavalos avermelhados e com um estandarte azul—é Kṛpa. Aquela é a sua força escolhida. Conduz-me para essa divisão; mostrarei depressa a Kṛpa, célebre por seu arco firme, o verdadeiro domínio das armas.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield discernment and resolve: a warrior must accurately recognize leaders and standards, then act decisively according to kṣatriya-duty, even when facing revered elders like Kṛpa.
During the Virāṭa episode’s battle, Arjuna directs Prince Uttara to drive the chariot toward Kṛpācārya’s division, identifying him by his reddish horses and blue banner, and declares his intent to demonstrate superior weapon-skill against him.