Shloka 45
कर्णस्य दानप्रतिज्ञा–शल्योपदेश–वाक्ययुद्धम्
Karna’s Gift-Vows, Shalya’s Counsel, and the Battle of Words
स्वान् स्वे जघ्नुर्महाराज परांश्वैव समागतान्
svān sve jaghnur mahārāja parāṁś caiva samāgatān
Sañjaya said: O great king, in that clash the warriors struck down their own men within their respective ranks, and they also slew the opposing fighters who had come together for battle—so confused and ruthless had the fighting become.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral collapse and confusion that war can produce: when rage and disorder dominate, even one’s own side becomes vulnerable, revealing the tragic cost of violence beyond any claimed duty or victory.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the fighting has become so intense and chaotic that warriors are killing both enemies and, within their own formations, even their own men—indicating a breakdown of coordination on the battlefield.