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Shloka 13

Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms

बाणज्यातलशब्देन द्यां दिश: प्रदिशो वियत्‌ । पृथिवीं नेमिघोषेण नादयन्तो<5भ्ययु: परान्‌,रथी वीर अपने बाणसहित धनुषकी प्रत्यंचाकी टंकारध्वनि एवं रथके पहियोंकी घर्घराहटसे आकाश, अन्तरिक्ष, दिशा, विदिशा तथा भूतलको शब्दायमान करते हुए शत्रुओंपर चढ़ आये

bāṇajyātalaśabdena dyāṃ diśaḥ pradiśo viyat | pṛthivīṃ nemighoṣeṇa nādayanto 'bhyayuḥ parān ||

Sañjaya sprach: Mit dem scharfen Schnalzen ihrer Bogensehnen und dem Rasseln der Wagenräder ließen die Krieger Himmel, Himmelsrichtungen und Zwischenrichtungen, den Luftraum und die Erde selbst widerhallen; so erhoben sie ein donnerndes Getöse und stürmten gegen den Feind. Der Vers betont den überwältigenden Schwung der Schlacht – wenn Kampfkunst und kollektive Kraft auf den Gegner drücken und Standhaftigkeit wie Pflicht im Kriegschaos erproben.

बाणज्यातलशब्देनby the sound of the bowstring and the palm/hand (slap) (i.e., twang)
बाणज्यातलशब्देन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootबाणज्यातलशब्द
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
द्याम्the sky/heaven
द्याम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootदिव्/द्यौ
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
दिशःthe directions
दिशः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootदिश्
FormFeminine, Accusative, Plural
प्रदिशःthe intermediate directions
प्रदिशः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootप्रदिश्
FormFeminine, Accusative, Plural
वियत्the firmament/space
वियत्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवियत्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
पृथिवीम्the earth
पृथिवीम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपृथिवी
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
नेमिघोषेणby the roar/sound of the wheel-rims
नेमिघोषेण:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootनेमिघोष
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
नादयन्तःmaking resound
नादयन्तः:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootनादयत्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
अभ्ययुःthey advanced/charged
अभ्ययुः:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootअभि-या
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural
परान्the foes/enemies
परान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपर
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
W
warriors (rathin-s)
B
bows
B
bowstrings
A
arrows
C
chariots
C
chariot-wheels
S
sky/heaven (dyu)
D
directions (diś)
E
earth (pṛthivī)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how collective martial action creates an overwhelming force that tests courage and duty; in the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such battlefield momentum intensifies the kṣatriya’s obligation to stand firm, even amid fear and confusion.

Sañjaya describes warriors advancing on their foes; the twang of bowstrings and the rumble of chariot wheels are so loud that they seem to make sky, directions, and earth reverberate, signaling a fierce charge into battle.