Shloka 19
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
अन्योन्यं तौ तथा वाग्भिस्तक्षन्तौ नरपुड़वी
anyonyam tau tathā vāgbhis takṣantau narapuṅgavau
Sañjaya dit : Ces deux hommes d’élite, se taillant l’un l’autre à coups de paroles, continuèrent de se blesser par un verbe acéré — un échange de coups verbaux qui reflétait la violence du champ de bataille et montrait comment la colère peut faire des nobles eux-mêmes des instruments de malheur.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of vāg-daṇḍa (harm through speech): words can 'cut' like weapons, and uncontrolled anger can degrade even great persons into mutual injury, making restraint and truthful, measured speech a form of dharma even amid war.
Sañjaya describes two leading warriors engaged in a heated exchange, attacking one another with biting words—portrayed as if they were carving or hacking each other—signaling an escalation of hostility alongside the physical battle.