Shloka 21
Nārāyaṇāstra-utpātaḥ — Aśvatthāman’s Rallying Roar after Droṇa’s Fall (द्रोणपर्व, अध्याय १६७)
राजन! रातके समय एक-दूसरेपर वेगसे धावा करते हुए घोड़े पंखधारी पर्वतोंके समान दिखायी देते थे ।। सादिन: सादिश्ि: सार्थ प्रासशक्त्यृष्टिपाणय: । समागच्छन् महाराज विनदन्तः पृथक् पृथक्,महाराज! हाथमें प्रास, शक्ति और ऋष्टि धारण किये घुड़सवार सैनिक पृथक्-पृथक् गर्जना करते हुए शत्रुपक्षके घुड़सवारोंके साथ युद्ध कर रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca | rājann! rātake samaye anyonyopari vegena dhāvataḥ aśvāḥ pakṣidhara-parvatān iva dṛśyante sma || sādinaḥ sādibhiḥ sārdhaṃ prāsa-śakti-ṛṣṭi-pāṇayaḥ | samāgacchan mahārāja vinadantaḥ pṛthak pṛthak ||
Sañjaya said: O King, in the darkness of night, as they charged at one another with great speed, the horses appeared like winged mountains. The mounted warriors, bearing lances (prāsa), javelins (śakti), and spears (ṛṣṭi) in hand, advanced in separate bodies, each raising his own fierce battle-cry, and engaged the enemy’s cavalry in close combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the intensity and confusion of warfare, especially at night, where perception is strained and discipline becomes crucial. Ethically, it underscores the kṣatriya arena: courage and steadfastness are tested, yet the imagery also hints at war’s overpowering force that can eclipse clear judgment.
Sañjaya describes a night engagement in which cavalry units charge one another at high speed. The horses, looming in the darkness, seem like ‘winged mountains,’ while horsemen armed with lances, javelins, and spears shout and converge to fight the opposing cavalry.