Shloka 109
कालवच्चरते वीर: पड्चालानां रथव्रजे । तमप्यासाद्य समरे मित्रार्थे मित्रवत्सल
sañjaya uvāca |
kālavac carate vīraḥ pāñcālānāṃ rathavraje |
tam apy āsādya samare mitrārthe mitravatsalaḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: Wie der Tod selbst bewegte sich jener Held durch das Wagenheer der Pāñcālas. Selbst wenn sie ihm im Kampf gegenübertraten, blieb der freundestreue Krieger um seiner Verbündeten willen standhaft—und hielt an der Treue zur Freundschaft mitten im Gemetzel fest.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast loyalty: even amid the terror of war—where a warrior seems to move like Death itself—one who is mitravatsala (devoted to friends) stands firm for the sake of allies. Ethical emphasis falls on constancy to one’s chosen bonds and duties under extreme pressure.
Sañjaya describes a fearsome warrior moving through the Pāñcāla chariot formation like Kāla (Death). Despite confronting such a deadly opponent in battle, the friend-loving fighter does not retreat and continues to fight for the sake of his friends/allies.