Mahabharata — Bhishma Parva, Shloka 82
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
मुहूर्तमिव तद् युद्धमासीन्मधुरदर्शनम् | तत उन्मत्तवद् राजन न प्राज्ञायत किंचन
muhūrtam iva tad yuddham āsīn madhuradarśanam | tata unmatta-vad rājan na prājñāyata kiñcana ||
Sañjaya said: “For a brief while that battle appeared almost pleasing to behold; but then, O King, it surged into a dreadful frenzy like madness. In that hour, nothing could be clearly made out by anyone.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war can quickly shift from an outwardly ‘spectacular’ display to uncontrollable chaos, where clarity and discernment collapse—an implicit ethical warning against being seduced by the appearance of martial glory.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the fighting initially seemed visually impressive for a short time, but soon became a terrifying, frenzied melee in which no one could clearly perceive what was happening.