Shloka 446
द्रोणकर्णयोः निशि संप्रहारः — Night Engagement with Droṇa and Karṇa
अभीताः: पर्यवर्तन्त व्यादितास्यमिवान्तकम् । उस समय युद्धकुशल कुन्तीकुमार धनुषकी टंकार करते हुए रथके मार्गोपर नाच रहे थे और मुँह बाये हुए यमराजके समान भयंकर जान पढ़ते थे। उन्हें युद्धविशारद समस्त कौरव-महारथियोंने निर्भय हो चारों ओरसे घेर लिया
sañjaya uvāca | abhītāḥ paryavartanta vyāditāsyam ivāntakam |
Sañjaya said: Fearless, they wheeled about and returned again and again, appearing like Death itself with gaping mouth. At that time the Kuntī-born warriors, skilled in battle, made their bows resound and moved in dancing turns along the paths of their chariots, looking as dreadful as Yama. Seeing them thus, all the Kaurava great chariot-fighters—seasoned in war—surrounded them from every side without fear.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the kṣatriya ideal of fearlessness and steadfastness in battle, while also reminding the listener of war’s ethical gravity through stark death-imagery (Antaka/Yama). Valor is praised, yet the scene implicitly underscores how quickly heroic duty can resemble the very face of death.
Sañjaya describes the Kuntī-born warriors maneuvering their chariots with confident, dance-like turns and loud bow-twangs, appearing terrifying like Death. In response, the Kaurava elite chariot-fighters surround them from all sides, setting up a concentrated clash among top warriors.