Shloka 28
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms
समभ्यधावन्त भृशं कालदण्डैरिवोद्यतै: । नर्दन्तश्नाह्नयन्तश्न प्रवल्गन्तश्न मारिष,माननीय नरेश! कमर कसे, कवच बाँधे तथा शिरस्त्राण एवं आभूषण धारण किये हुए महाबली योद्धा गरजते, उछलते-कूदते और एक-दूसरेको ललकारते हुए कालदण्डके समान गदा, मूसल और परिघ उठाये परस्पर धावा बोल रहे थे
saṃabhyadhāvanta bhṛśaṃ kāladaṇḍair ivodyataiḥ | nardantaś cāhvayantaś ca pravalgaṃtaś ca māriṣa ||
Sañjaya said: “O venerable king, the mighty warriors—having tightened their waist-belts, fastened their armour, and donned helmets and ornaments—roared aloud, leapt and surged forward, and challenged one another as they charged. With clubs, pestles, and iron bars raised high like the very rods of Death, they rushed upon each other with fierce intent.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the terrifying momentum of war: when martial fury rises, weapons become ‘kāladaṇḍa’—instruments of death. It implicitly warns how quickly human agency can turn into destructive inevitability, even under the banner of kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya describes a close-quarters clash: armoured, helmeted warriors roar, leap, and challenge each other while charging with heavy blunt weapons—maces, pestles, and iron bars—raised high, likened to the rod of Death.