Shloka 4
Bhīmasena’s Kalinga Engagement and the Approach of Bhīṣma (भीमसेन-कालिङ्ग-संग्रामः)
रथानीकं नरव्याप्रा: केचिदभ्यपतन् रथै: । अभज्यन्त युगैरेव युगानि भरतर्षभ
rathānīkaṃ naravyāprāḥ kecid abhyapatan rathaiḥ | abhajyanta yugair eva yugāni bharatarṣabha ||
संजय बोले— कुछ नरश्रेष्ठ वीर अपने रथों से शत्रु-पक्ष की रथ-सेना पर टूट पड़े। भरतश्रेष्ठ! कितने ही रथों के जूए विपक्षी रथों के जूओं से टकराकर टूट गए।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the epic’s realism about war: courage and martial intent drive men forward, yet outcomes are also shaped by material force and collision—highlighting the grave cost and uncontrollable momentum of armed conflict.
Sañjaya describes a surge of warriors charging into the opposing chariot ranks; the fighting is so close that chariot-yokes collide and break, conveying the intensity and congestion of the battlefield.