Shloka 25
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
ततः: समभवद् युद्ध घोररूपं भयानकम् | पाण्डूनां भगदत्तेन यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम्
tataḥ samabhavad yuddhaṃ ghorarūpaṃ bhayānakam | pāṇḍūnāṃ bhagadattena yamarāṣṭravivardhanam ||
Sañjaya sprach: „Da erhob sich eine Schlacht—schrecklich an Gestalt und furchtbar anzusehen—zwischen den Pāṇḍavas und Bhagadatta; ein Kampf, der das Reich Yamas anschwellen ließ, denn er sandte viele in den Tod. So wurde die Gewalt des Krieges, von Stolz und Rivalität getrieben, zu einer Maschine der Vernichtung statt zu einem Hüter der Gerechtigkeit.“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral gravity of war: when conflict becomes “yamarāṣṭra-vivardhana” (an increaser of Death’s realm), it highlights how unchecked hostility and pride turn battle into mass destruction, pressing the listener to reflect on dharma, restraint, and the cost of violence.
Sañjaya reports that a dreadful, fearsome battle erupts between the Pāṇḍavas and King Bhagadatta, described as so lethal that it effectively increases Yama’s domain—i.e., many warriors are slain.