Shloka 3
Sainyavinyāsa–Lakṣaṇa (Disposition of Armies and Battlefield Omens) | सैन्यविन्यास–लक्षणम्
संजय उवाच उभे सेने तुल्यमिवोपयाते उभे व्यूहे हृष्टरूपे नरेन्द्र । उभे चित्र वनराजिप्रकाशे तथैवोभे नागरथाश्वपूर्णे
sañjaya uvāca | ubhe sene tulyam ivopayāte ubhe vyūhe hṛṣṭarūpe narendra | ubhe citra-vanarāji-prakāśe tathaivobhe nāga-rathāśva-pūrṇe ||
Sañjaya dit : Ô roi, les deux armées s’avançaient comme si leurs forces étaient égales. Dans les deux formations de combat, les guerriers se tenaient debout, le visage rayonnant d’allégresse. Les deux hostes paraissaient merveilleuses—telles des lisières de forêt aux couleurs mêlées—et toutes deux étaient pareillement remplies d’éléphants, de chars et de chevaux.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the deceptive symmetry of worldly power: both sides appear equally strong and jubilant, yet the impending battle carries profound ethical consequences. It sets a reflective tone—external splendor and confidence do not resolve the inner question of dharma that the war will force into the open.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that both the Kaurava and Pāṇḍava armies are advancing in comparable strength. Their formations are orderly and impressive, and the forces are densely equipped with elephants, chariots, and horses, creating a vivid, forest-like spectacle on the battlefield.