Shloka 9
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
रथा रथैरविमथिता मत्ता मन्तैद्विपा द्विपै: सादिन: सादिभिश्लैव तस्मिन् परमसंकुले
sañjaya uvāca | rathā rathair avimathitā mattā mantair dvipā dvipaiḥ sādinaḥ sādibhiś caiva tasmin paramasaṅkule | dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ kṛpeṇātha tasmin vīravarakṣaye | śikhaṇḍī kṛtavarmāṇaṃ samāsādayad acyutam ||
Sañjaya dijo: En aquella refriega sumamente confusa—donde los carros chocaban contra carros, los elefantes enloquecidos eran contenidos por elefantes enemigos, y los jinetes se enfrentaban a jinetes—Dhrishtadyumna trabó combate con Kripa en medio de la matanza de grandes héroes. Shikhandi, inflexible, se acercó para luchar contra Kritavarma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the grim ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma: even revered elders and famed heroes are drawn into relentless combat, and the battlefield’s chaos magnifies the cost of violence and the weight of duty-bound action.
Sanjaya describes a densely packed, chaotic battle where chariots, elephants, and cavalry collide. In this turmoil, Dhrishtadyumna fights Kripa, while Shikhandi advances to engage Kritavarma.