Shloka 366
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
असिशभ्यां सम्प्रजह्गवाते परस्परमरिंदमौ । शत्रुओंका दमन करनेवाले वे दोनों यशस्वी वीर भ्रान्त, उद्धान्त, आविद्ध, आप्लुत, विप्लुत, सृत, सम्पात और समुदीर्ण आदि गति और पैंतरे दिखाते हुए परस्पर तलवारोंका वार करने लगे
asiśabhyāṁ samprajahgavāte parasparam ariṁdamau | śatrūṇāṁ damaṇa karanevāle ve donoṁ yaśasvī vīra bhrānta, uddhānta, āviddha, āpluta, vipluta, sṛta, sampāta aura samudīrṇa ādi gati aura paiṁtare dikhāte hue paraspara talavāroṁ kā vāra karane lage |
Sañjaya said: The two illustrious heroes, breakers of their foes, closed with one another in a sword-fight. Intent on subduing their enemies, they began to strike at each other with their blades, displaying a succession of martial movements and feints—whirling, leaping, darting, springing aside, rushing in, and surging forward—each seeking advantage without yielding ground. In this grim theatre of dharma’s crisis, prowess and discipline are shown at their highest, even as the violence of war tightens its moral cost.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds disciplined action within the warrior code: even amid destructive conflict, mastery, restraint, and focused intent are praised. Ethically, it also hints at the Mahabharata’s larger tension—excellence in duty can coexist with the tragic cost of violence when dharma is under strain.
Sañjaya describes two renowned enemy-subduing heroes engaging in close sword combat. They exchange blows while performing recognized battlefield movements—circling, leaping, darting, and feinting—to gain advantage over one another.