Shloka 18
Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ
The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges
वज्संस्पर्शरूपाणामस्त्राणां च प्रयोजक:ः । स खड्गाक्षेपहस्तस्तु घोष॑ चक्रे महारथ:
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca |
vajra-saṁsparśa-rūpāṇām astrāṇāṁ ca prayojakaḥ |
sa khaḍgākṣepa-hastas tu ghoṣaṁ cakre mahārathaḥ ||
সি বজ্ৰস্পৰ্শসম কঠোৰ অস্ত্ৰসমূহ প্ৰয়োগত নিপুণ। সেই মহাৰথী হাতে খড়্গ তুলি আঘাত কৰি ভয়ংকৰ ঘোষ তুলিলে।
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the kṣatriya ideal of disciplined martial competence: power is not mere rage but skilled, purposeful deployment of weapons, coupled with fearless presence on the battlefield.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, hearing the battle account, is told of a great warrior’s terrifying effectiveness—he wields thunderbolt-like weapons and, sword raised, creates a formidable roar as he strikes in combat.