Shloka 63
तत्र युद्ध महच्चासीत् क्रूरं विशसनं महत् | तथैव पाण्डवा: शूरा धृष्टद्युम्मशिखण्डिनौ
tatra yuddha mahac cāsīt krūraṁ viśasanaṁ mahat | tathaiva pāṇḍavāḥ śūrā dhṛṣṭadyummāśikhaṇḍinau ||
Sañjaya said: There, a vast battle arose—cruel and fiercely destructive, a great slaughter. And on that very field stood the Pāṇḍava heroes as well, with Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Śikhaṇḍin.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical gravity of war: even when fought by renowned heroes, battle becomes ‘cruel’ and ‘slaughterous.’ It frames the Kurukṣetra conflict as a domain where dharma is contested, and where the cost of violence remains stark despite claims of righteous cause.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a massive, brutal engagement is underway. He notes that the Pāṇḍava side is present and formidable, specifically highlighting Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Śikhaṇḍin among their leading warriors.