Shloka 15
अर्जुन-कर्ण-सङ्ग्रामः
Arjuna–Karna Engagement in the Cattle-Raid Aftermath
समिद्ध॑ पावकं चैव घृतमेदोवसाहुतम् । घृताक्तश्लीरवासास्त्व॑ मध्येनोत्तर्तुमिच्छसि,अथवा अपने शरीरमें घी पोतकर चिथड़े या वल्कल पहने हुए तुम घी, मेदा और चर्बी आदिकी आहुतियोंसे प्रजजलित आगके भीतरसे होकर निकलना चाहते हो
samiddhaṁ pāvakaṁ caiva ghṛta-medovasā-hutam | ghṛtākta-śīrṇa-vāsās tvaṁ madhyenottartum icchasi ||
Крипа сказал: «Неужели ты хочешь пройти сквозь самую середину пылающего огня—который разжигают возлияниями гхи, жира и сала,—натерев собственное тело гхи и облачившись в лохмотья или в кору?»
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns against rash, self-destructive action. By comparing the intention to crossing a blazing, ghee-fed fire while smeared with ghee, Kṛpa underscores that choices must be guided by discernment and dharma, not by impulsive bravado or despair.
Kṛpa speaks in a cutting, rhetorical question to dissuade someone from an extremely dangerous course of action. The imagery of an intensely fueled fire functions as a vivid deterrent, emphasizing the near-certain ruin that would follow such a decision.