Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
ते हयाश्रन्द्रसंकाशा: केशवेन प्रचोदिता: । आपिबन्त इव व्योम जम्मुद्रौणिरथं प्रति
te hayāḥ śaśicandrasadṛśāḥ keśavena pracoditāḥ | āpibanta iva vyoma jamadrauṇirathaṁ prati ||
ते हयाश्चन्द्रसंकाशाः केशवेन प्रचोदिताः। आपिबन्त इव व्योम द्रौणिरथं प्रति॥
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights disciplined action under wise guidance: Kṛṣṇa’s controlled charioteering symbolizes purposeful effort in chaos—speed and power are ethically meaningful when directed by steadiness, clarity, and right intent rather than rage.
Sañjaya describes Kṛṣṇa driving Arjuna’s team of bright, moon-like horses swiftly toward Aśvatthāmā’s chariot; the simile ‘as if drinking the sky’ intensifies the sense of rapid, forceful advance in the battle.