Shloka 45
एते5भवन्नर्जुनतः क्षुद्रसर्पाश्न॒ कर्णत: । महाराज! मुनि
sañjaya uvāca |
ete ’bhavann arjunataḥ kṣudra-sarpāś ca karṇataḥ ||
三阇耶说道：当时，较弱小的诸蛇转而站到阿周那一边，而另一些则归附于迦尔那。于是，即便在那伽之中也分出了派别——有的拥护阿周那，有的拥护迦尔那——正如战场之上，结盟往往随所见之势、宿命与旧日因缘而变，并非出于某种恒常不变的忠诚。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the instability of worldly alliances in times of conflict: even natural or supernatural groups split into factions. Ethically, it suggests that power, fear, past enmities, and destiny can drive support, so one should not rely on shifting external backing but on right conduct and clarity of purpose.
Sañjaya reports a sign-like development during the battle context: serpents (nāgas) divide their allegiance—some becoming favorable to Arjuna, while others support Karṇa—indicating a broader atmosphere of omens and factional alignment around the two principal warriors.