भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
त्वदीयास्तु तदा योधा: पाण्डवेयाश्व॒ भारत | अन्योन्यं समरे जघ्नुस्तयोस्तत्र पराक्रमे
tvadīyās tu tadā yodhāḥ pāṇḍaveyāś ca bhārata | anyonyaṃ samare jaghnus tayos tatra parākrame ||
भारत! उस समय वहाँ_toggle_ उन दोनों वीरों के पराक्रम प्रकट होने पर, रणभूमि में आपके और पाण्डव-पक्ष के योद्धा भी परस्पर एक-दूसरे को मार रहे थे।
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores the impersonal momentum of war: even as great champions exhibit individual heroism, the wider armies—bound by duty to their respective sides—mutually destroy one another. It highlights how allegiance and kṣatriya-duty can propel collective violence beyond any single duel.
Sanjaya tells Dhṛtarāṣṭra that, at the same time as two principal heroes are demonstrating their prowess (in a prominent encounter), the surrounding Kaurava and Pāṇḍava troops are simultaneously engaged in mutual killing across the battlefield.