Shloka 13
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
चित्रहस्तादिकं कृत्वा कक्षाबन्धं च चक्रतुः । गलगण्डाभिघातेन सस्फुलिड्रेन चाशनिम्,वे कभी हाथोंको बड़े वेगसे सिकोड़ लेते, कभी फैला देते, कभी ऊपर-नीचे चलाते और कभी मुट्ठी बाँध लेते। इस प्रकार चित्रहस्त आदि दाँव दिखाकर उन दोनोंने कक्षाबन्धका प्रयोग किया अर्थात् एक-दूसरेकी काख या कमरमें दोनों हाथ डालकर प्रतिद्वद्दीको बाँध लेनेकी चेष्टा की। फिर गलेमें और गालमें ऐसे-ऐसे हाथ मारने लगे कि आगकी चिनगारी-सी निकलने लगी और वज्रपातका-सा शब्द होने लगा
citrahastādikaṃ kṛtvā kakṣābandhaṃ ca cakratuḥ | galagaṇḍābhighātena sasphuliḍreṇa cāśanim ||
Displaying a variety of wrestling feints such as the ‘citra-hasta’ (deceptive hand-movements), the two grappled and attempted the kakṣābandha hold—thrusting both arms into the opponent’s armpit/waist to bind and control him. Then they struck at neck and cheek with such force that sparks seemed to fly, and the blows resounded like a thunderbolt.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily depicts technique and intensity rather than a direct moral injunction; ethically, it illustrates how competitive display can quickly harden into violent domination, highlighting the thin line between sport and harm when force and pride escalate.
Two combatants perform deceptive hand-feints and attempt the kakṣābandha clinch to bind each other; the struggle intensifies into heavy strikes to the neck and cheek, described with imagery of sparks and thunderbolt-like sound.