Shloka 216
आक्रीडन्तो वहन्ति सम सारड्रशबला हया: । आर्य! पुरुषसिंह शिशुपालके पुत्रके सारंगके समान चितकबरे अश्व खेल करते हुए-से वहन कर रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca | ākrīḍanto vahanti sama-sāradr̥śa-balā hayāḥ | ārya! puruṣa-siṁha śiśu-pālaka-putrake sāraṅgake samāna-citakabare aśva khel karate hue-se vahana kara rahe the |
Sañjaya said: The horses, equal in strength and of similar appearance, seemed to carry their riders as if in play. O noble one, those lion-like men were borne along as though they were carefree youths—like child-herdsmen or deer-like boys—sporting upon their steeds. Even amid the grim movement of war, their mastery made the ride appear effortless, revealing how skill and confidence can mask the harshness of the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined skill and courage can make even perilous action appear effortless. Ethically, it points to the kṣatriya ideal of mastery and composure in duty, while also reminding the reader that the seeming ‘play’ occurs within the grave reality of war.
Sanjaya describes a battlefield movement where strong, well-matched horses carry heroic warriors. Their riding looks like playful sport, emphasizing speed, control, and confidence as the forces surge through the conflict in Droṇa Parva.