Shloka 34
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सैन्यप्रशंसा, भेदनवृत्तान्त-प्रश्नः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Praise of the Host and Inquiry after the Breach
बहुरथमनुजाश्चपत्तिनागं कम प् । अहितह्ृदयभेदनं महद् शकटमवेक्ष्य कृतं ननन्द राजा,बहुत-से रथ, पैदल मनुष्य, घोड़े और हाथियोंसे परिपूर्ण, भयंकर कोलाहलसे युक्त एवं शत्रुओंके हृदयको विदीर्ण करनेमें समर्थ, अद्भुत और समयके अनुरूप बने हुए उस महान् शकटव्यूहको देखकर राजा दुर्योधन बहुत प्रसन्न हुआ
sañjaya uvāca |
bahuratham anujāś ca pattināgaṃ ca | ahita-hṛdaya-bhedanaṃ mahac chakaṭam avekṣya kṛtaṃ nananda rājā ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing that great Śakaṭa (cart-shaped) battle-formation—made in a timely and fitting manner, crowded with many chariots, infantry, horses, and elephants, filled with dreadful tumult, and capable of rending the hearts of the enemy—King Duryodhana was greatly delighted.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse implicitly cautions that a ruler’s delight in intimidating power and clever formations can strengthen aggression and enmity; strategic brilliance, when driven by hostility, may excite pride rather than restraint or dharmic reflection.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana sees a massive, fearsome Śakaṭa (cart-shaped) battle-array packed with chariots, infantry, horses, and elephants; impressed by its timely construction and its capacity to break enemy morale, he becomes very pleased.