Shloka 83
भीष्मशिबिरगमनम् — Duryodhana’s Visit to Bhīṣma’s Camp and the Command Appeal
तथैव तावका राजन् सूृंजयाश्व सहस्रश: । जुह्गबतः समरे प्राणान् निजघ्नुरितरेतरम्,राजन्! इसी प्रकार आपके पुत्र और सैनिक तथा सहस्रों सृंजय वीर समराग्निमें प्राणोंकी आहुति देते हुए एक-दूसरेको मार रहे थे
tathaiva tāvakā rājan sṛñjayāśva sahasraśaḥ | juhvataḥ samare prāṇān nijaghnur itaretaram ||
Sañjaya dit : De même, ô Roi, tes guerriers et les Sṛñjayas—par milliers—comme s’ils offraient leur vie en oblation au feu du combat, s’entre-tuaient dans un carnage réciproque.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames war through sacrificial imagery: lives are treated like oblations poured into a blazing ritual fire. This highlights the ethical tragedy of fratricidal conflict—regardless of side, human life is consumed, and victory is inseparable from grievous loss.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Kaurava forces and the Sṛñjaya warriors are killing each other in large numbers on the battlefield, with the fighting described as a grim ‘offering’ of lives into the war-fire.