Shloka 20
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
तृणपीडं यथाकामं पूर्णयोगं समुष्टिकम् । एवमादीनि युद्धानि प्रकुर्वन्ती परस्परम्
tṛṇapīḍaṃ yathākāmaṃ pūrṇayogaṃ samuṣṭikam | evamādīni yuddhāni prakurvantī parasparam |
तृणपीडं यथाकामं पूर्णयोगं समुष्टिकम् । एवमादीनि युद्धानि प्रकुर्वन्ती परस्परम् ॥
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how physical conflict quickly becomes a display of technique, feint, and force; ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between regulated contest and cruelty—how skill can be used either within restraint or as a means to intensify harm.
A close-quarters bout is underway: the fighters begin applying recognized wrestling holds and fist-strikes—twisting locks like tṛṇapīḍa and combined maneuvers (pūrṇayoga)—each countering the other in a mutual exchange of increasingly forceful techniques.