Shloka 373

Devanagari script

प्रतिपक्षग्रहं चक्र: कर्णार्जुनसमागमे । मान्यवर! सब लोग परस्पर भिन्न विचार व्यक्त करते सुनायी देते थे। देवता, दानव, गन्धर्व, पिशाच, नाग और राक्षस--इन सबने कर्ण और अर्जुनके युद्धके विषयमें पक्ष और विपक्ष ग्रहण कर लिया

Transliteration

pratipakṣagrahaṁ cakraḥ karṇārjunasamāgame |

Translation

Sanjaya said: When Karna and Arjuna came face to face, the assembled beings took sides—some for, some against. As differing opinions were heard on every hand, even the gods, Danavas, Gandharvas, Pisacas, Nagas, and Raksasas aligned themselves into opposing camps regarding the outcome and merit of the duel. The scene underscores how a single act of war can polarize the world, drawing every order of being into judgment and partisanship.

Word by Word

• प्रतिपक्षग्रहम्: taking of sides (acceptance of the opposing/own side)
• प्रतिपक्षग्रहम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिपक्षग्रह
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• चक्रुः: they made / they took up
• चक्रुः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• कर्णार्जुनसमागमे: in the encounter/meeting of Karna and Arjuna
• कर्णार्जुनसमागमे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्णार्जुनसमागम
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Karṇa
• Arjuna
• Devatās
• Dānavas
• Gandharvas
• Piśācas
• Nāgas
• Rākṣasas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how momentous moral and martial confrontations generate polarization: even exalted and fearsome beings adopt partisan views. It suggests that war is not merely physical combat but a contest of reputations, perceived righteousness, and destiny, witnessed and judged by the wider cosmos.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that as Karṇa and Arjuna meet in battle, the surrounding hosts—gods, Dānavas, Gandharvas, Piśācas, Nāgas, and Rākṣasas—split into supporters and opponents, voicing differing expectations and loyalties regarding the duel.