Shloka 24
Adhyāya 74 (Book 6, Bhīṣma-parva): Bhīma–Duryodhana re-engagement and afternoon escalation
एवं प्रव्रजिताश्चानि भ्रान्तनागरथानि च | सैन्यानि समसज्जन्त प्रयुद्धानि समन््ततः,कृपाचार्य और कृतवर्मा--इन दोनोंने धृष्टद्युम्मपर धावा किया। इस प्रकार अपने-अपने घोड़ोंको आगे बढ़ाकर तथा हाथी एवं रथोंको घुमाकर समस्त सैनिक सब ओर युद्ध करने लगे
evaṁ pravrajitāś cāni bhrāntanāgarathāni ca | sainyāni samasajjanta prayuddhāni samantataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Thus, with their forces set in motion—horses driven forward and the elephant- and chariot-divisions wheeling about in confusion—the armies on every side closed in and arrayed themselves for battle. In that surge of combat, Kṛpācārya and Kṛtavarmā charged toward Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and the whole field became engaged in fighting from all directions.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how quickly collective violence escalates once armies are set in motion: tactical maneuvers (wheeling chariots, driving horses, turning elephant-units) lead to all-around engagement. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between kṣatriya duty to fight and the tragic momentum of war that draws everyone into conflict.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield becoming fully engaged on all sides as units move and turn in confusion. Within this general clash, Kṛpācārya and Kṛtavarmā specifically rush to attack Dhṛṣṭadyumna, indicating a focused assault amid the wider mêlée.