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Shloka 5

Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure

Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin

वासितार्थे युयुत्सन्तो वृषभा वृषभं यथा । निपतन्त्यर्जुनं शूराःशतशो5थ सहस्रश:

vāsitārthe yuyutsanto vṛṣabhā vṛṣabhaṃ yathā | nipatanty arjunaṃ śūrāḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ ||

Sañjaya dit : Poussés par le désir et avides de combattre, les guerriers se ruèrent sur Arjuna—par centaines puis par milliers—comme des taureaux, échauffés par la luxure, se jettent sur un seul taureau.

वासितार्थेin the matter/purpose of desire (for mating)
वासितार्थे:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootवासितार्थ (वासित + अर्थ)
FormMasculine, Locative, Singular
युयुत्सन्तःwishing to fight
युयुत्सन्तः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootयुयुत्सत् (युध् + सन्)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
वृषभाःbulls
वृषभाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootवृषभ
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
वृषभम्a bull
वृषभम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवृषभ
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
यथाas/just as
यथा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथा
निपतन्तिfall upon/attack
निपतन्ति:
TypeVerb
Rootनि-पत्
FormPresent, Third, Plural, Parasmaipada
अर्जुनम्Arjuna
अर्जुनम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootअर्जुन
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
शूराःheroes/warriors
शूराः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootशूर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
शतशःby hundreds
शतशः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootशतशस्
अथand/then
अथ:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ
सहस्रशःby thousands
सहस्रशः:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसहस्रशस्

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
A
Arjuna

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how desire and competitive aggression can drive masses into violence; it implicitly contrasts impulsive, craving-driven action with disciplined, dharma-guided conduct expected in war.

Sañjaya reports that many brave fighters, in great numbers, surge together to attack Arjuna, using the vivid comparison of bulls charging a single bull when stirred by lust.