Shloka 52
कर्णपर्व — अध्याय ५९
Arjuna Breaks the Encirclement; Bhīma Reinforces
शतान्यायान्ति समरे बलिनां तिग्मतेजसाम् | पञ्च नागसहस्राणि द्विगुणा वाजिनस्तथा
śatāny āyānti samare balināṁ tigmātejasām | pañca nāgasahasrāṇi dviguṇā vājinās tathā
Sañjaya said: “In the clash of battle, hundreds of mighty warriors of keen, blazing prowess are advancing. Along with them come five thousand elephants, and likewise horses in double that number.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war rapidly escalates through sheer mobilization of power—numbers, beasts, and martial energy—reminding the listener that such might magnifies the stakes and consequences of action (karma) in a dharmic crisis.
Sañjaya reports the approach of a large contingent: hundreds of powerful, radiant warriors, supported by five thousand elephants and twice as many horses, indicating a major concentration of forces on the battlefield.