Shloka 29
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
हयाक्ष चामरापीडा: प्रासपाणिभिरास्थिता: । चोदिता: सादिद्ि: क्षिप्रं निपेतुरितरेतरम्,चामरभूषित अश्व प्रासधारी सवारोंसे संचालित हो तुरंत ही एक-दूसरेपर टूट पड़ते थे
hayāś ca cāmarāpīḍāḥ prāsapāṇibhir āsthitāḥ | coditāḥ sādibhiḥ kṣipraṃ nipetur itaretaram ||
Sañjaya sprach: Die Pferde, geschmückt mit Fächern aus Yakschweifen, und die Speerträger, die auf ihnen saßen—von ihren Lenkern rasch angetrieben—stürmten sogleich vor und prallten aufeinander. So verwandelte der Schwung der Schlacht, getragen von Befehl und Kunstfertigkeit, lebendige Wesen in Werkzeuge gewaltsamer Kollision und offenbarte den düsteren ethischen Preis des Krieges selbst inmitten kriegerischer Pracht.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how, in war, splendor and discipline (ornamented mounts, trained spear-bearers, swift driving) can still culminate in mutual destruction. It implicitly invites reflection on the moral burden of conflict: skill and command do not erase the suffering produced when beings are driven into violence.
Sañjaya reports a rapid cavalry clash: horses decorated with cāmaras, carrying spear-wielding riders, are urged forward by their drivers and immediately charge into one another, beginning or intensifying close combat.