Shloka 2
अध्याय २९: कर्णस्य शल्यं प्रति शापस्मरणं च युद्धनिश्चयः | Chapter 29: Karṇa recalls curses to Śalya and declares resolve for battle
द्विरदनररथाश्वशड्खशब्दै: परिहृषिता विविधैश्व शस्त्रपातै: | द्विदरथपदातिसादिसंघा: परिकुपिताभिमुखा: प्रजध्निरे ते
sañjaya uvāca |
dviradanara-rathāśva-śaṅkha-śabdaiḥ parihṛṣitā vividhaiś ca śastra-pātaiḥ |
dvi-ratha-padāti-sādi-saṅghāḥ parikupitābhimukhāḥ prajaghnire te ||
Sañjaya said: Stirred to exhilaration by the clamour of elephants, men, chariots, horses, and conches, and driven on by the many kinds of weapon-strokes, the masses of elephant-riders, chariot-warriors, foot-soldiers, and horsemen—enraged and facing one another—fell upon each other and began to strike down their foes.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war amplifies emotion: the roar of armies and the impact of weapons generate exhilaration and anger that erode self-restraint. Ethically, it suggests that violence becomes contagious—momentum and retaliation can replace deliberation and dharmic discernment.
Sañjaya reports that the opposing forces—elephant corps, charioteers, infantry, and cavalry—rush at each other. Excited by the din of battle and provoked by repeated weapon-blows, they confront one another and begin striking and killing in close combat.