Shloka 7
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
अभिमन्यु: सुसंक्रुद्ध: पिशज्ैस्तुरगोत्तमै: । संयुक्त रथमास्थाय प्रायाद् भीष्मरथं प्रति
sañjaya uvāca | abhimanyuḥ susaṁkruddhaḥ piśaṅgaiḥ turagottamaiḥ saṁyuktaṁ ratham āsthāya prāyād bhīṣma-rathaṁ prati |
सञ्जय उवाच—अभिमन्युः सुसंक्रुद्धः पिशङ्गैस्तुरगोत्तमैः संयुक्तं रथमास्थाय भीष्मरथं प्रति प्रायात्; कर्णिकारचिह्नेन जाम्बूनदविचित्रकेतुना शोभितः स रथः। स भीष्मं तथा तस्य रक्षार्थमागतान् रथसत्तमानप्यभ्यधावत्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya impulse toward decisive action in battle, while implicitly warning how anger (krodha) can drive escalation. It frames heroism as duty-bound courage, yet ethically tense when youthful fury confronts venerable elders and their protectors.
Abhimanyu, enraged, mounts a chariot drawn by excellent tawny horses and charges toward Bhīṣma’s chariot. His chariot is described as distinguished by a prominent banner (with the karnikāra emblem per the accompanying description), and he attacks Bhīṣma along with the elite warriors guarding him.