Shloka 3
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms
तस्मान्महद् भयं तीव्रममित्रघ्नाद् धनंजयात् | स यत् तत्राकरोत् पार्थस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय
tasmān mahad bhayaṁ tīvram amitraghnād dhanaṁjayāt | sa yat tatrākarot pārthas tan mamācakṣva saṁjaya ||
Kaya’t isang dakila at tumutusok na pangamba ang sumasakmal sa akin dahil kay Dhanañjaya, ang mamumuksa ng mga kaaway. Kaya, Sañjaya, sabihin mo sa akin kung ano ang ginawa roon ni Pārtha (Arjuna), anak ni Kuntī—anong hakbang ang pinili niya sa sandaling iyon ng digmaan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a leader’s inner state—especially fear—shapes decision-making in crisis. It also underscores the ethical weight of truthful reporting: Sañjaya is asked to narrate events accurately, so judgment and action can be grounded in reality rather than rumor or panic.
A Kaurava leader (contextually, Duryodhana) expresses intense fear of Arjuna’s prowess and urges Sañjaya to report exactly what Arjuna did on the battlefield at that point, seeking clarity about the unfolding combat situation.