Shloka 18
Kṛpa’s Archery Display; Śikhaṇḍin Checked; Suketu Slain; Dhṛṣṭadyumna–Kṛtavarmā Clash (कृपशौर्य–पार्षतहार्दिक्ययुद्धम्)
क्रुद्धं सिंह केसरिणं बृहन्तं बालो मूढ: क्षुद्रमृगस्तरस्वी । समाह्दयेत् तद्धदेतत् तवाद्य समाद्टदानं सूतपुत्रार्जुनस्य
kruddhaṃ siṃha-keśariṇaṃ bṛhantaṃ bālo mūḍhaḥ kṣudra-mṛgas tarasvī | samāhvayet tad dhy etat tavādya samāhvānaṃ sūtaputrārjunasya ||
โอ้สุตปุตร! ดุจกวางน้อยผู้ว่องไวแต่เขลาเยี่ยงเด็ก บังอาจท้าทายสิงห์มหึมาผู้มีแผงคอซึ่งเดือดดาลด้วยโทสะ ฉันใด การที่เจ้าท้ารบอรชุนในวันนี้ก็ฉันนั้น
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns against arrogant or impulsive provocation: challenging a superior force without discernment is self-destructive. Ethically, it critiques pride and delusion in war—valor must be guided by clear judgment, not by rashness or anger.
Sañjaya addresses Karṇa (called ‘Sūtaputra’) and compares his calling Arjuna to battle to a small swift animal foolishly challenging an enraged lion. The simile underscores the perceived imbalance and the peril of Karṇa’s challenge at this moment in the war.