Shloka 22
Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure
Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin
साश्चपत्तिद्विपरथं महाशस्त्रौ्सम्प्लवम् | सहसा संतितीर्षन्तं पार्थ शस्त्रास्त्रसेतुना
sāśvapattidviparathaṁ mahāśastraughasamplavam | sahasā santitīrṣantaṁ pārtha śastrāstrasētunā ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Si Arjuna (Pārtha), nang makita ang napakalawak na hukbo—punô ng mga elepante, kabayo, karwaheng pandigma at mga kawal na naglalakad, at namamaga na parang baha sa agos ng mabibigat na sandata—ay ninais na tawirin agad ang “dagat ng hukbo” sa pamamagitan ng tulay na yari sa sarili niyang mga palaso at sandata. Noon ay nagsalita si Śrī Kṛṣṇa: “O Pārtha na walang sala, bakit mo ito tinatrato na parang laro? Lipulin mo muna ang mga Saṁśaptaka, saka ka magmadali at magpakatatag sa pagsisikap na pabagsakin si Karṇa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in heroic action, one should not be driven by showmanship or impulsive ‘play’; Kṛṣṇa’s counsel redirects Arjuna toward disciplined duty—remove immediate obstacles (the Saṁśaptakas) and pursue the decisive objective (Karṇa’s defeat) with urgency and moral seriousness.
Arjuna intends to break through a dense, weapon-filled enemy formation—likened to an ocean—by forging a path with his own weapons, as if building a bridge. Kṛṣṇa intervenes verbally, pressing him to stop treating the engagement lightly, first destroy the Saṁśaptakas who block him, and then move swiftly toward confronting and killing Karṇa.