Shloka 15
कृपकर्णसंवादः
Kṛpa’s Counsel to Karṇa on Deśa-Kāla and Coordinated Strategy
श्वेता: काउ्चनसंनाहा रथे युज्यन्ति मे हया: । संग्रामे युध्यमानस्य तेनाहं श्वेतवाहन:,संग्राममें युद्ध करते समय मेरे रथमें सोनेके बख्तरसे सजे हुए श्वेत रंगके घोड़े जोते जाते हैं, इसलिये मेरा नाम “श्वेतवाहन” हुआ है तथा हिमालयके शिखरपर उत्तराफाल्गुनी नक्षत्रमें दिनके समय मेरा जन्म हुआ था; इसलिये मुझे 'फाल्गुन” कहते हैं
śvetāḥ kāñcanasaṃnāhā rathe yujyanti me hayāḥ | saṃgrāme yudhyamānasya tenāhaṃ śvetavāhanaḥ ||
阿周那说道：“我在战阵中厮杀时，我那白色骏马披着金甲，套在我的战车之上。因此我临阵而战时，人们称我为‘室吠多婆诃那’——白马驾车者。”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a warrior’s public identity (name/epithet) is grounded in visible conduct and attributes on the battlefield—signs that reinforce reputation, responsibility, and the kṣatriya ethos of standing firm in combat.
Arjuna is speaking and explaining the origin of his epithet ‘Śvetavāhana’: because his chariot is drawn by white horses equipped with golden harness/armor, he is known by that name when he fights in battle.