Shloka 36
Chapter 49: Sañjaya’s Enumeration of the Pāṇḍava Coalition (पाण्डवसैन्यसमागम-वर्णनम्)
यः कलिड्जान् समापेदे पाज्चाल्यो युद्धदुर्मद: । शिखण्डिना व: कुरव: कृतास्त्रेणाभ्ययुज्जत,कौरवो! वह टद्रुपदकुमार युद्धमें उन््मत्त होकर लड़नेवाला है। उसीने कलिंगदेशीय क्षत्रियोंको पराजित किया था। उस अस्त्रवेत्ता वीरका नाम शिखण्डी है, जिसके बलपर पाण्डवोंने आपलोगोंसे युद्धकी तैयारी की है
sañjaya uvāca | yaḥ kaliṅgān samāpede pāñcālyo yuddha-durmadaḥ | śikhaṇḍinā vaḥ kuravaḥ kṛtāstreṇābhyayujjata, kaurava ||
Sañjaya said: “That Pāñcāla prince, intoxicated with the ardor of battle, who once subdued the warriors of Kaliṅga—he is the arms-trained hero Śikhaṇḍin. Relying on his strength and martial skill, the Pāṇḍavas have made ready to engage you Kurus in war, O Kaurava.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of war through the lens of kshatriya duty and preparedness: martial excellence and prior victories become instruments in a larger conflict, reminding the listener that war is driven not only by claims and rights but also by strategic reliance on capable warriors.
Sanjaya informs the Kaurava side that the Pandavas are relying on the weapon-trained warrior Shikhandin—renowned for having defeated the Kalingas—and are preparing to confront the Kurus in battle with him as a key support.