Shloka 4
स वार्ष्णेयवच: श्रुत्वा कर्णमुत्सज्य वीर्यवान् युयुधे राक्षसेन्द्रेण वकभ्रात्रा घटोत्कच:,भगवान् श्रीकृष्णका यह वचन सुनकर पराक्रमी वीर घटोत्कचने कर्णको छोड़कर वकके भाई राक्षसराज अलायुधके साथ युद्ध आरम्भ कर दिया
sa vārṣṇeyavacaḥ śrutvā karṇam utsṛjya vīryavān yuyudhe rākṣasendreṇa bakabhrātrā ghaṭotkacaḥ
स वार्ष्णेयवचः श्रुत्वा कर्णमुत्सृज्य वीर्यवान् । युयुधे राक्षसेन्द्रेण वकभ्रात्रा घटोत्कचः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the chaos of war, righteous action includes heeding sound guidance and choosing the appropriate opponent and objective. The verse highlights disciplined restraint—setting aside a personal contest (with Karṇa) to confront a pressing threat (Alāyudha) as directed by Kṛṣṇa’s counsel.
After hearing Kṛṣṇa’s words, Ghaṭotkaca stops focusing on Karṇa and turns to fight Alāyudha, a powerful Rākṣasa leader described as Baka’s brother, thereby shifting the battle’s immediate engagement.