Shloka 26
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
चराचरैस्त्रिभिलोेंकैियों $जय्यो रथिनां वर: । तं॑ हत्वाद्य महाबाहो विजयस्तव फाल्गुन
carācarais tribhir lokaiḥ ajayyo rathināṃ varaḥ | taṃ hatvādya mahābāho vijayas tava phālguna ||
三阇耶说道：“迦尔那——那御者之子——在此军中独为大弓手，居车战勇士之首；纵使三界同来，连同一切有情与无情之众，也难以合力将他战胜。然而，噢，臂力无双的法尔古那！若你今日斩杀那迦尔那，胜利必归于你。那压在我心头十二年的苦刺，也将随之拔除。既知如此，噢，强臂之士，便依你所愿布置战阵（vyūha）吧。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the mightiest warrior can be portrayed as ‘unconquerable,’ yet the epic frames victory as arising from decisive action aligned with a larger moral and cosmic order. The verse highlights the ethical weight of confronting formidable power and the relief that comes when a long-standing injustice or suffering is finally resolved.
Sañjaya addresses Arjuna (Phālguna), emphasizing Karna’s extraordinary prowess—said to be unbeatable even by the three worlds—yet predicting that Arjuna will defeat and kill him that very day. He urges Arjuna to arrange the battle formation according to his will, underscoring the strategic and climactic nature of the coming encounter.