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Shloka 13

Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms

बाणज्यातलशब्देन द्यां दिश: प्रदिशो वियत्‌ । पृथिवीं नेमिघोषेण नादयन्तो<5भ्ययु: परान्‌,रथी वीर अपने बाणसहित धनुषकी प्रत्यंचाकी टंकारध्वनि एवं रथके पहियोंकी घर्घराहटसे आकाश, अन्तरिक्ष, दिशा, विदिशा तथा भूतलको शब्दायमान करते हुए शत्रुओंपर चढ़ आये

bāṇajyātalaśabdena dyāṃ diśaḥ pradiśo viyat | pṛthivīṃ nemighoṣeṇa nādayanto 'bhyayuḥ parān ||

Sañjaya dit : Par le claquement aigu des cordes d’arc et le fracas des roues de leurs chars, les guerriers firent retentir le ciel, les directions et les directions intermédiaires, l’espace et la terre elle-même ; puis, soulevant un vacarme de tonnerre, ils se ruèrent contre l’ennemi. Le vers souligne l’élan écrasant de la bataille, où la prouesse martiale et la force du nombre pèsent sur l’adversaire, éprouvant résolution et devoir au cœur du tumulte guerrier.

बाणज्यातलशब्देनby the sound of the bowstring and the palm/hand (slap) (i.e., twang)
बाणज्यातलशब्देन:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootबाणज्यातलशब्द
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
द्याम्the sky/heaven
द्याम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootदिव्/द्यौ
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
दिशःthe directions
दिशः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootदिश्
FormFeminine, Accusative, Plural
प्रदिशःthe intermediate directions
प्रदिशः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootप्रदिश्
FormFeminine, Accusative, Plural
वियत्the firmament/space
वियत्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवियत्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
पृथिवीम्the earth
पृथिवीम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपृथिवी
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
नेमिघोषेणby the roar/sound of the wheel-rims
नेमिघोषेण:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootनेमिघोष
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Singular
नादयन्तःmaking resound
नादयन्तः:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootनादयत्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural
अभ्ययुःthey advanced/charged
अभ्ययुः:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootअभि-या
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural
परान्the foes/enemies
परान्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपर
FormMasculine, Accusative, Plural

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
W
warriors (rathin-s)
B
bows
B
bowstrings
A
arrows
C
chariots
C
chariot-wheels
S
sky/heaven (dyu)
D
directions (diś)
E
earth (pṛthivī)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how collective martial action creates an overwhelming force that tests courage and duty; in the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such battlefield momentum intensifies the kṣatriya’s obligation to stand firm, even amid fear and confusion.

Sañjaya describes warriors advancing on their foes; the twang of bowstrings and the rumble of chariot wheels are so loud that they seem to make sky, directions, and earth reverberate, signaling a fierce charge into battle.