Mahabharata — Karna Parva, Shloka 39
अस्त्रयुद्धे द्रौणिपार्थसंघर्षः — Karṇa’s Bhārgavāstra and the Search for Yudhiṣṭhira
Chapter 45
ब्रह्मेशानेन्द्रवरुणान् क्रमशो यो5वहत् पुरा । तमाद्यं रथमास्थाय प्रयातौ केशवार्जुनौ
brahmeśānendrvaruṇān kramaśo yo 'vahat purā | tam ādyaṁ ratham āsthāya prayātau keśavārjunau ||
รถศึกอันเป็นปฐม ซึ่งในกาลก่อนเคยรับส่งพรหมา อีศานะ (ศิวะ) อินทร์ และวรุณตามลำดับ—เมื่อขึ้นสู่รถนั้นแล้ว วันนี้เกศวะกับอรชุนก็ออกเดินทัพ
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna’s action as aligned with a larger cosmic order: the chariot once borne by major deities symbolizes legitimacy, protection, and the weight of dharma behind their undertaking. It suggests that righteous effort is strengthened when grounded in sacred precedent and right purpose.
Sañjaya describes Kṛṣṇa (as charioteer) and Arjuna mounting a renowned, ‘foremost’ chariot—celebrated for having carried Brahmā, Śiva, Indra, and Varuṇa in ancient times—and then departing for battle, emphasizing the grandeur and auspicious authority of their war-preparation.