Shloka 40
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
सादी सादिनमासाद्य पत्तयश्न पदातिनम्
sādī sādinam āsādya pattayaś ca padātinam
Dijo Sañjaya: Al cerrar distancias con el auriga y el guerrero de carro, los infantes también apremiaron contra la infantería. La batalla se estrechó hasta el cuerpo a cuerpo, donde cada clase de combatiente buscó a su igual, revelando la sombría ley de la guerra: destreza contra destreza, fuerza respondiendo a fuerza, mientras la matanza se intensificaba.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive, but it implicitly reflects the battlefield ethic of reciprocal engagement: each combat arm seeks its counterpart, and conflict escalates when formations collapse into direct, class-to-class fighting—highlighting the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare rather than a moral exhortation.
Sañjaya reports a moment of close engagement: the charioteer confronts the chariot-warrior, and simultaneously the infantry press against infantry. It conveys the press and confusion of battle where different units meet head-on.