Shloka 3
Sainyavinyāsa–Lakṣaṇa (Disposition of Armies and Battlefield Omens) | सैन्यविन्यास–लक्षणम्
संजय उवाच उभे सेने तुल्यमिवोपयाते उभे व्यूहे हृष्टरूपे नरेन्द्र । उभे चित्र वनराजिप्रकाशे तथैवोभे नागरथाश्वपूर्णे,संजय बोले--नरेन्द्र! दोनों ओरकी सेनाएँ समान रूपसे आगे बढ़ रही थीं। दोनों ओरके व्यूहमें खड़े हुए सैनिक हर्षसे उल्लसित थे। दोनों ही सेनाएँ वनश्रेणियोंके समान आश्चर्यरूप प्रतीत होती थीं और दोनों ही हाथी, रथ एवं घोड़ोंसे भरी हुई थीं
sañjaya uvāca | ubhe sene tulyam ivopayāte ubhe vyūhe hṛṣṭarūpe narendra | ubhe citra-vanarāji-prakāśe tathaivobhe nāga-rathāśva-pūrṇe ||
Sañjaya said: O king, both armies advanced as though evenly matched. In both battle-formations the warriors stood with exultant faces. Both hosts appeared wondrous—like variegated lines of forest—each likewise filled with elephants, chariots, and horses.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the deceptive symmetry of worldly power: both sides appear equally strong and jubilant, yet the impending battle carries profound ethical consequences. It sets a reflective tone—external splendor and confidence do not resolve the inner question of dharma that the war will force into the open.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that both the Kaurava and Pāṇḍava armies are advancing in comparable strength. Their formations are orderly and impressive, and the forces are densely equipped with elephants, chariots, and horses, creating a vivid, forest-like spectacle on the battlefield.