Shloka 20
एष तिष्ठति कौन्तेय: संस्पृशन् गाण्डिवं धनु: । त॑ हनिष्यसि चेदद्य तन्न: श्रेयो भविष्यति
eṣa tiṣṭhati kaunteyaḥ saṁspṛśan gāṇḍīvaṁ dhanuḥ | taṁ haniṣyasi ced adya tan naḥ śreyo bhaviṣyati ||
“昆蒂之子啊，看，阿周那立于此处，手按甘狄婆神弓。若你今日能将他斩杀，于我等便是至上的大利。”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the war-time calculus of śreyaḥ (the ‘greater good’) as understood by combatants: removing the pivotal champion is seen as securing one’s side’s welfare. It also reflects the ethical strain of dharma-yuddha, where duty and survival can override personal sentiment.
Arjuna is identified on the battlefield, standing ready with his renowned bow Gāṇḍīva. The speaker urges that if he can be killed that very day, it would decisively benefit ‘us’—a tactical exhortation aimed at turning the battle by eliminating the foremost Pandava warrior.