Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 58 — Arjuna’s Arrow-Storm and Relief of Bhīmasena
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु माधवो<र्जुनमब्रवीत्
etasmīn eva kāle tu mādhavo 'rjunam abravīt | "pārtha! paśya, droṇakumāro 'śvatthāmā dhṛṣṭadyumnavadhe kīdṛśaṁ mahān prayatnaṁ karoti. sa enam hantuṁ śaknoti, atra saṁśayo na vidyate" ||
桑阇耶说:“就在那一刻,摩陀婆(奎师那)对阿周那说道:‘帕尔塔,看——德罗那之子阿湿婆他摩正竭尽全力要杀死德里什塔丢摩那。他确能杀之,毫无疑问。’”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights vigilance and responsibility in dharma-yuddha: when a grave threat to an ally is clearly imminent, one must not remain passive. Kṛṣṇa’s counsel frames ethical action in war as timely protection and strategic awareness, not mere valor.
During the battle, Kṛṣṇa points out to Arjuna that Aśvatthāmā (son of Droṇa) is exerting himself intensely to kill Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and that he is fully capable of doing so. The statement signals an urgent turning point requiring Arjuna’s attention.