Shloka 48
वसुदेव–अर्जुन संवादः
Vasudeva–Arjuna Dialogue in the Aftermath of Dvārakā
अयमेकोडर्जुनो धन्वी वृद्धबालं हतेश्वरम् । नयत्यस्मानतिक्रम्य योधाक्षेमे हतौजस:,'भाइयो! देखो, यह अकेला धनुर्धर अर्जुन और ये हतोत्साह सैनिक हमलोगोंको लाँघकर वृद्धों और बालकोंके इस अनाथ समुदायको लिये जा रहे हैं (अत: इनपर आक्रमण करना चाहिये)”
ayam eko 'rjuno dhanvī vṛddha-bālaṁ hateśvaram | nayaty asmān atikramya yodhākṣeme hataujaḥ ||
Sabi nila: “Tingnan ninyo—si Arjuna, ang nag-iisang mamamana, ay lumalampas sa atin at dinadala ang pulutong ng matatanda at mga bata na ngayo’y wala nang tagapagtanggol. At ang mga mandirigmang ito’y panghihina na, wasak ang lakas. Kaya dapat silang salakayin!”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical crisis after the fall of protectors: when guardians are gone, the vulnerable (elders and children) become targets. It implicitly contrasts dharma—protecting the helpless—with adharma—preying on the unprotected and attacking even a lone defender.
A group observes that Arjuna, alone, is escorting a defenseless community of elders and children whose leaders have been slain. Seeing the escort as weak and the situation unsafe, hostile warriors incite one another to attack and seize them.