Shloka 35
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
मुहुराजघ्नतुः क्रुद्धावन्योन्यमरिमर्दनौ । सखड्गौ चित्रवर्माणौ सनिष्काड्रदभूषणौ,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
muhur ājaghnatuḥ kruddhāv anyonyam arimardanau | sa-khaḍgau citra-varmāṇau sa-niṣkāḍra-bhūṣaṇau ||
Sañjaya said: Again and again, the two enemy-crushing warriors, inflamed with wrath, struck one another. With swords in hand, displaying varied maneuvers and circling feints, they repeatedly sought openings. Their blades flashed; their armor was ornate, and they were adorned with neck-ornaments and armlets—splendor set amid the fury of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger (krodha) intensifies conflict and turns battle into a cycle of repeated blows; it also shows the tension between outward splendor (ornate armor and ornaments) and the inner moral cost of violence.
Sañjaya describes two formidable warriors locked in close combat, repeatedly striking each other with swords while employing tactical footwork and feints; both are depicted as richly armored and ornamented even amid the ferocity of the duel.