Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
चरन्तौ विविधान् मार्गान् मण्डलानि च भागश:,क्रोधमें भरे हुए वे दोनों शत्रुमर्दन वीर पृथक्-पृथक् नाना प्रकारके मार्ग और मण्डल (पैंतरे और दाँव-पेंच) दिखाते हुए एक-दूसरेपर बारंबार चोट करने लगे। उनके हाथोंमें तलवारें चमक रही थीं। उन दोनोंके ही कवच विचित्र थे तथा वे निष्क और अंगद आदि आभूषणोंसे विभूषित थे
sañjaya uvāca | carantau vividhān mārgān maṇḍalāni ca bhāgaśaḥ, krodhamenaṃ bhare hue ve dvau śatrumardana vīrau pṛthak-pṛthak nānāprakārake mārgāṇi ca maṇḍalāni (paiṃtare ca dāṃva-peṃca) darśayantaḥ parasparaṃ bāraṃbāraṃ prahārān cakratuḥ | tayoḥ karayoḥ khaḍgāḥ prabhānti sma | ubhayor api kavacāni vicitrāṇi, niṣka-aṅgada-ādi-ābharaṇaiś ca vibhūṣitau |
Sañjaya said: Moving along many kinds of paths and circling in measured patterns, those two enemy-crushing heroes—hearts swollen with wrath—separated and rejoined again and again, displaying varied feints and tactical turns as they repeatedly struck at one another. Their swords flashed in their hands. Both wore wondrous armor and were adorned with ornaments such as necklaces and armlets, shining amid the fury of combat.
संजय उवाच