Shloka 17
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
एवमुक्त्वा तत: शौरी रथं तं लोकविश्रुतम् प्रापपामास भीष्मस्य रथं प्रति जनेश्वर,जनेश्वर! ऐसा कहकर श्रीकृष्णने उस विश्वविख्यात रथको भीष्मजीके रथके निकट पहुँचा दिया
evam uktvā tataḥ śaurī rathaṃ taṃ lokaviśrutam prāpāpāmāsa bhīṣmasya rathaṃ prati, janeśvara
सञ्जय उवाच— एवमुक्त्वा ततः शौरी रथं तं लोकविश्रुतम् प्रापयामास भीष्मस्य रथं प्रति, हे जनेश्वर।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights purposeful action aligned with duty: Kṛṣṇa, though not fighting with weapons, fulfills his role as charioteer with decisive intent. It reflects how dharma in war includes disciplined execution of one’s assigned responsibility and strategic clarity rather than impulsive violence.
After speaking (in the immediately preceding context), Kṛṣṇa (Śaurī) drives the celebrated chariot forward and brings it near Bhīṣma’s chariot. Sañjaya reports this to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, marking a tactical approach toward a direct engagement with the Kaurava commander.