Shloka 40
Bhīmasena–Drauṇi Mahāyuddha
Chariot Duel and Astra-Exchange
भारत! व्यूहके मुख्य द्वारपर कवच धारण किये महाधनुर्धर कर्णको खड़ा देख कोई भी सैनिक द्रोणाचार्यके मारे जानेके दुःखका अनुभव न कर सका ।। उभे सैन्ये महाराज प्रह्ृष्टनरसंकुले । योद्धुकामे स्थिते राजन् हन्तुमन्योन्यमोजसा,महाराज! वे दोनों सेनाएँ हर्षोत्फुल्ल मनुष्योंसे भरी थीं। राजन्! वे बलपूर्वक परस्पर चोट करने और जूझनेकी इच्छासे मैदानमें आकर खड़ी हो गयीं
ubhē sainyē mahārāja prahṛṣṭa-nara-saṅkulē | yoddhu-kāmē sthitē rājan hantum anyonyam ojasā ||
Sañjaya said: O Bhārata, seeing the great bowman Karṇa, clad in armor, standing at the main gate of the battle-formation, no soldier could feel the full grief of Droṇācārya’s death. O great king, both armies stood facing each other, crowded with men exultant and eager for combat. O ruler, they had taken their positions with the desire to fight, intent on striking one another down by sheer force and martial ardor.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological momentum of war: collective exhilaration and the will to overpower the other side can eclipse reflection on loss and dharma, showing how martial ardor drives escalation and mutual destruction.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that both sides have assembled on the battlefield, densely packed with eager warriors, each intent on engaging the other with force as the fighting is about to intensify.