Shloka 23
Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa
Brahmā’s Synopsis of the Epic and the Logic of Divine Descents
नाप्तवन्तः कुरुक्षेत्रे युद्धञ्चक्रुर्बलान्विताः / अक्षौहिणीभिर्दिव्याभिः सप्तभिः परिवारिताः
nāptavantaḥ kurukṣetre yuddhañcakrurbalānvitāḥ / akṣauhiṇībhirdivyābhiḥ saptabhiḥ parivāritāḥ
ولمّا لم ينالوا مرادهم، خاضوا القتال في كوروكشيترا بقوةٍ تامّة، وقد أحاطت بهم سبعُ جيوشٍ من نوع أكشوهِني ذات شأنٍ سماوي.
Uncertain from isolated verse (likely within the Viṣṇu–Garuḍa dialogue, but needs surrounding context to confirm)
Concept: When rightful claims are denied, collective karma ripens into war; adharma precipitates large-scale suffering.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma’s restoration may require painful action; outcomes unfold through prārabdha and collective causality, while inner detachment remains ideal.
Application: Recognize how systemic injustice escalates into conflict; address grievances early; understand consequences of refusal and pride.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: battlefield (dharmakṣetra)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: war as fruit of adharma; didactic reminders that violence arises from greed and envy (thematic).
FAQs
An akṣauhiṇī is a classical measure of a full army formation; this verse emphasizes the scale by mentioning seven divine akṣauhiṇīs surrounding the combatants.
Kurukṣetra functions as a culturally recognized symbol of dharma-yuddha and decisive conflict; this verse invokes that frame to describe a powerful, large-scale battle scene.
Treat conflict as a dharmic responsibility: act with strength and discipline, but ensure the goal (āpti) is righteous—otherwise even great power leads to fruitless struggle.