Arjuna bowed before King Yudhishthira with folded hands, his voice softened by humility and reverence. “O King,” he said, “a few moments ago I uttered harsh and unworthy words. I implore you to look upon me with the same compassion and blessing that have always guided my life. Do not allow those painful words to linger in your heart, for they were never born of disrespect. In my innermost being I have always regarded this body, this life, and this spirit as your sacred possession. Whatever strength I possess exists only to uphold your honour and command.”
He continued with steadfast resolve, “Though I have surrendered my life to your will, why have you not sent me to relieve Bhima, who alone bears the crushing burden of battling the hostile armies? Permit me now to gather all my strength and stand beside him. I shall exhaust the enemy’s might, shatter their confidence, and bring an end to Karna’s pride. I shall humble Duryodhana’s arrogance and destroy the power that has sustained his wickedness. Before this day ends, Karna shall fall beneath my arrows, and Radha shall mourn the son she cherished above all.”
The words of Arjuna pierced the heart of Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma. Overcome with sorrow, he spoke with profound remorse. “It is because of me that all of you have endured countless hardships. I have failed the noble traditions of our illustrious lineage and have acted in ways unworthy of righteousness. Such a man deserves not honour but death. I am timid by nature and unfit to wield weapons with heroic valour. How can one incapable of protecting even himself be entrusted with the guardianship of a kingdom? Let mighty Bhima be crowned king. As for me, I shall withdraw to the forest and spend the remainder of my days as a hermit, seeking peace through renunciation.”
Witnessing this painful exchange, Sri Krishna approached with folded hands and respectfully saluted Yudhishthira. In a voice filled with wisdom and serenity, he said, “O Dharmaraja, until this moment I was unaware of the solemn vow Arjuna had taken. Long ago he had pledged that whoever advised him to surrender the Gandiva to another would meet death at his hands. When those words escaped your lips in the heat of anguish, his sacred vow compelled him to respond. Yet he could never raise his hand against his revered elder brother. Therefore, to preserve both truth and righteousness, I advised him that rebuking an elder with severe words bears the symbolic weight of slaying him. Having fulfilled the letter of his vow, he has now sought refuge at your feet. By your boundless compassion, forgive us both. Let this painful moment pass without leaving a scar upon your noble heart.”
Krishna then spoke with unshakable certainty. “Cast aside every trace of grief. Before this day reaches its close, the blood of Karna shall stain the battlefield, and his mighty neck shall bow forever to the earth. Once your heart has withdrawn its favour from him, his destiny is already sealed. Listen to my words with unwavering faith. Today, by every decree of destiny and by every measure of valour, Karna shall perish at the hands of Arjuna. Let no anxiety remain within you.”
Yudhishthira’s heart softened. With great hesitation, he lifted Krishna from his salutation and stood before him with folded hands. “Great Soul,” he said, “the circumstances clouded my judgment. Bereft of caution and overcome by pain, I spoke words unworthy of my station. My mind was overwhelmed, and I lost all sense of direction. Your gracious counsel has rescued me from the darkness into which I had fallen. Again and again you save us from dangers that we cannot even perceive. Truly, you are the living embodiment of righteousness, wisdom, and auspiciousness.”
Meanwhile Arjuna stood silently, his head lowered and his face pale with remorse. Seeing his sorrow, Krishna gently addressed him. “Such grief is enough. Dharmaraja’s heart has already turned toward forgiveness. Go now, honour him once more, seek his blessing, and proceed to the battlefield. Slay the son of Radha and let the world witness the splendour of your incomparable heroism. Delay no longer.”
Krishna continued with affectionate firmness. “The harsh words spoken by Dharmaraja wounded your heart, yet they sprang from anguish rather than anger. Had you, in blind obedience to your vow, actually severed his head, what future would have remained for us all? By divine grace you have been protected from immeasurable sin. The wisdom that dawned upon you at the decisive moment is itself the fruit of the accumulated merit of your noble ancestors and righteous relatives.”
With tears streaming from his eyes, Arjuna fell at the feet of Yudhishthira. The son of Dharma, equally overcome with emotion, embraced his beloved brother as tears flowed freely from his own eyes. Sri Krishna stood between them, calming their agitated hearts until peace returned. After washing their faces, Yudhishthira placed his hands upon Arjuna’s shoulders and embraced him warmly.
With solemn dignity he said, “Karna has inflicted upon us an unbearable humiliation. Before the assembled warriors he shattered my chariot, slew my charioteer, struck down my horses, and cast my banner to the ground. His mastery of arms still burns within my memory as a wound to my honour. If you do not slay him today, I cannot bear the burden of living beneath such disgrace.”
Arjuna answered with unwavering conviction. “Standing before your sacred feet, I vow that before this day ends Karna and all who stand beside him shall fall beneath my arrows. If I fail in this pledge, I shall never again appear before you in shame. Guided by Sri Krishna, I shall neither abandon my honour nor retreat from the battlefield. Keep only one thought within your heart—that Karna must perish. That blessing alone shall become my inexhaustible strength.”
Krishna smiled and said, “Arjuna, none is more capable of accomplishing this task than you.” The celestial chariot was prepared, and the noble steeds, refreshed with food and careful attention, stood eager for battle. Having received the blessings of Yudhishthira, Krishna and Arjuna mounted the chariot.
Before their departure Krishna once more addressed Yudhishthira. “With your compassionate heart, bless your younger brother and send him forth.” Yudhishthira embraced Arjuna again and said, “You spoke as Krishna advised, and now I understand the truth behind your words. Whatever was spoken in ignorance is forgotten. Let your mind be free from sorrow.”
Arjuna saluted him once more. Raising his hand in blessing, Yudhishthira declared, “Victory shall be yours over Karna. From this day onward your glorious name, Vijaya, shall forever remain united with triumph.”
Arjuna bowed deeply and replied, “O Dharmaraja, the wicked Karna who has tormented you shall surely fall beneath my arrows. Only after fulfilling that sacred duty shall I return to your presence.”
As Krishna guided the chariot toward the battlefield, auspicious signs appeared on every side, filling both heroes with renewed confidence. At that very moment Karna was absorbed in devising strategies to destroy Arjuna, yet beads of perspiration formed upon his brow, betraying the anxiety concealed beneath his courage.
Observing this, Krishna spoke with encouraging affection. “You have accomplished deeds that even the gods considered impossible. Your steadfast mind, boundless generosity, mastery over celestial weapons, profound knowledge of sacred scriptures, peerless skill in archery, and unmatched physical prowess place you beyond comparison. Neither Bhishma nor Drona could withstand the full measure of your strategic brilliance. The fall of Jayadratha remains a marvel that astonishes all the worlds. Who, in heaven or on earth, can truly stand against you? Therefore cast away every trace of doubt. Hold your mind firm, awaken your heroic spirit, and let your courage increase with every passing moment.”
Thus Sanjaya narrated these events to the blind king Dhritarashtra, declaring that the blessings of Krishna and the gracious benediction of Dharmaraja had transformed Arjuna’s heart into an unshakable fortress of determination. Strengthened by divine counsel, sanctified by brotherly forgiveness, and guided by destiny itself, Arjuna rode toward the climactic encounter that would decide the fortune of Kurukshetra, where the pages of victory and defeat were about to be written forever in the annals of dharma.
