Shloka 19
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
अन्योन्यं तौ तथा वाग्भिस्तक्षन्तौ नरपुड़वी
anyonyam tau tathā vāgbhis takṣantau narapuṅgavau
قال سانجيا: إن ذينك الرجلين، وهما من سادة البشر، كانا يقطع أحدهما الآخر بالكلمات، يواصلان جرح بعضهما بقولٍ حادّ—تبادلٌ للضربات اللفظية يُحاكي عنف ساحة القتال ويكشف كيف يمكن للغضب أن يجعل حتى النبلاء أدواتٍ للأذى.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of vāg-daṇḍa (harm through speech): words can 'cut' like weapons, and uncontrolled anger can degrade even great persons into mutual injury, making restraint and truthful, measured speech a form of dharma even amid war.
Sañjaya describes two leading warriors engaged in a heated exchange, attacking one another with biting words—portrayed as if they were carving or hacking each other—signaling an escalation of hostility alongside the physical battle.