Shloka 40
Karṇa’s advance against the Pāṇḍava host; Arjuna’s clash with the Saṃśaptakas (कर्णस्य पाण्डवसेनाप्रवेशः—अर्जुनस्य संशप्तकसंप्रहारः)
ते तत्त्वं सर्वमाख्याय शिरोभि: सम्प्रणम्य च । वधोपायमपृच्छन्त भगवन्तं पितामहम्,तप उग्र॑ समास्थाय नियमे परमे स्थिता: । उस समय देवताओंने दैत्योंको परास्त कर दिया था, यह हमारे सुननेमें आया है। राजन! दैत्योंके परास्त हो जानेपर तारकासुरके तीन पुत्र ताराक्ष, कमलाक्ष और विद्युन्माली उग्र तपस्याका आश्रय ले उत्तम नियमोंका पालन करने लगे उन्होंने मस्तक झुकाकर भगवान् ब्रह्माजीको प्रणाम किया और सारी बातें ठीक-ठीक बताकर उनसे उन दैत्योंके वधका उपाय पूछा
te tattvaṃ sarvam ākhyāya śirobhiḥ sampraṇamya ca | vadhopāyam apṛcchanta bhagavantaṃ pitāmaham, tapa ugraṃ samāsthāya niyame parame sthitāḥ |
వారు సమస్త విషయాన్ని యథాతథంగా నివేదించి, శిరస్సు వంచి నమస్కరించి, భగవంతుడైన పితామహ బ్రహ్మదేవుని అడిగారు—“ఈ దురాత్మ శత్రువులను సంహరించే ఉపాయం ఏమిటి?”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring epic pattern: even those seeking violent outcomes attempt to ground their actions in higher authority through reverence, austerity, and disciplined observance. It implicitly raises an ethical tension—tapas and ritual correctness can be pursued for ends that are not necessarily dharmic, showing that spiritual power is morally neutral unless guided by right intention.
After presenting the full situation to Brahmā and bowing respectfully, the petitioners ask him for a method to accomplish the slaying of their opponents. They undertake intense austerities and maintain strict observances, aiming to obtain a decisive, divinely endorsed means (often a boon or special condition) to overcome those who have defeated them.