Shloka 23
द्वन्द्वयुद्धप्रवृत्तिः
Dvandva-Yuddha: The Onset of Single Combats
नदन् प्रतपनोघोरोनलंसोप्यन्वधावत ।नलःप्रतपनस्याशुपातयामासचक्षुषी ।।6.43.23।।
nadan pratapano ghoro nalaṃ so 'py anvadhāvata |
nalaḥ pratapanasyāśu pātayāmāsa cakṣuṣī || 6.43.23 ||
ভয়ংকর প্রতপন গর্জন করতে করতে নলের দিকে ধাবিত হল; কিন্তু নল তৎক্ষণাৎ আঘাতে তার দুই চোখ ফেলে দিয়ে তাকে অন্ধ করে দিল।
Dreadful Pratapan roared and jumped over Nala. Nala in turn gouged out the eyes of Pratapan.
FAQs
The verse reflects battlefield reciprocity: aggression is met with effective defense. Dharma in war includes stopping a violent assailant to protect one’s forces.
The rākṣasa Pratapana charges Nala; Nala counters by blinding him.
Presence of mind and tactical decisiveness—Nala answers a direct charge with a disabling strike.