Shloka 26
अस्त्रयुद्धे द्रौणिपार्थसंघर्षः — Karṇa’s Bhārgavāstra and the Search for Yudhiṣṭhira
Chapter 45
सादिशि: स्यन्दनैनगिरधिकं समलड्कृतै: । स व्यूहराजो विबभौ देवासुरचमूपम:,अधिकाधिक सुसज्जित हाथियों, रथों और घुड़सवारोंसे सम्पन्न वह व्यूहराज देवताओं और असुरोंकी सेनाके समान सुशोभित हो रहा था
sādhiṣiḥ syandanainagiradhikaṃ samalaṅkṛtaiḥ | sa vyūharājo vibabhau devāsuracamūpamaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Adorned with ever more splendid chariots, elephants, and cavalry, that “king of battle-formations” shone forth—resembling the assembled hosts of gods and asuras.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the seductive grandeur of martial display: a perfectly arranged and richly equipped army can appear almost divine in power. Yet the Mahābhārata’s ethical lens reminds the reader that splendor and strength do not by themselves confer righteousness; dharma must be judged by intent and conduct, not by spectacle.
Sañjaya describes a battle-array (vyūha) that has been increasingly reinforced and ornamented with chariots, elephants, and mounted troops. He portrays it as shining like the combined hosts of gods and asuras, emphasizing its intimidating scale and disciplined formation on the battlefield.