Shloka 683
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
संसक्तान् पाण्डवैर्दष्टवा निवृत्ता: कुरव: पुनः । उस समय शकुनि, कृतवर्मा, अश्वत्थामा, कर्ण और कृपाचार्यको पाण्डवोंके साथ जूझते देख भागे हुए कौरव-सैनिक फिर लौट आये
saṁsaktān pāṇḍavair dṛṣṭvā nivṛttāḥ kuravaḥ punaḥ | tadā śakuni-kṛtavarmā-aśvatthāmā-karṇa-kṛpācāryān pāṇḍavaiḥ saha yudhyamānān dṛṣṭvā palāyitāḥ kaurava-sainikāḥ punar nyavartanta |
Wika ni Sañjaya: Nang makita nilang ang kanilang mga pinuno ay nakasagupa nang dikitang-dikit sa mga Pāṇḍava, ang mga Kaurava na tumalikod na sa pagtakbo ay muling nagbalik. Nang sandaling iyon, nang masaksihan ng mga kawal ng Kaurava sina Śakuni, Kṛtavarmā, Aśvatthāmā, Karṇa, at Kṛpācārya na nakikipagbuno sa mga Pāṇḍava, nanaig ang hiya at katapatan sa takot, kaya’t muli silang sumanib sa labanan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the presence and example of leaders can restore morale: even soldiers who fled may return when they see their chiefs standing firm. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of overcoming fear through honor, loyalty, and responsibility in a time of crisis.
During the battle, some Kaurava troops had retreated. When they saw Śakuni, Kṛtavarmā, Aśvatthāmā, Karṇa, and Kṛpācārya intensely fighting the Pāṇḍavas, those soldiers turned back and re-entered the fight.