Shloka 12
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
स्कन्धे दोर्भ्या समाहत्य निहत्य च मुहुर्मुहु: । अड्मज्जैः समाश्लिष्य पुनरास्फालनं विभो,राजन! फिर वे दोनों हाथोंसे एक-दूसरेके कंधे-पर बार-बार चोट करते हुए अंग-अंगसे भिड़कर आपसमें गुँथ गये तथा एक-दूसरेको बार-बार रगड़ने लगे
skandhe dorbhyā samāhatya nihatya ca muhur muhuḥ | aḍmajjaiḥ samāśliṣya punar āsphālanaṃ vibho rājan |
O King, O mighty one, they struck each other again and again upon the shoulders with their arms; then, closing in and locking limb to limb, they grappled tightly and repeatedly ground and shook one another in the press of the contest. The scene underscores the raw force of physical rivalry, where pride and prowess drive men into ever-closer violence once restraint and measured conduct give way.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive, but it implicitly warns how unchecked rivalry and pride can escalate from measured contest to brutal, repetitive violence, highlighting the need for restraint and dharmic self-control even amid displays of strength.
Two combatants close distance: they strike each other’s shoulders with their arms repeatedly, then clinch tightly—limb to limb—and continue by grinding, wrenching, and shaking each other in a sustained grapple.