Shloka 55
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
अदर्शयेतां बहुधा सूतसामर्थ्यलाघवातू | वे दोनों अपने सारथिकी शक्ति तथा शीघ्रकारिताके कारण नाना प्रकारके विचित्र मण्डल, आगे बढ़ने और पीछे हटने आदिके पैंतरे दिखाने लगे || ५४ ह ।। अन्तरं च प्रहारेषु तर्कयन्ती परस्परम्
sañjaya uvāca | adarśayetāṃ bahudhā sūtasāmarthya-lāghavāt | antaraṃ ca prahāreṣu tarkayantī parasparam |
Berkat kemahiran kusir dan kelincahan gerak, keduanya memperagakan beragam siasat—membentuk putaran-putaran, maju menyerbu, lalu mundur menarik diri. Dalam tiap tebasan dan tangkisan mereka saling mengintai, menimbang celah di antara serangan lawan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that victory in righteous combat is not only about force but also about disciplined skill, agility, and discerning the right moment—seeking the opponent’s ‘antara’ (opening) without reckless aggression.
Sañjaya describes two combatants (with their charioteers) executing varied chariot maneuvers—circling, advancing, retreating—while mutually assessing openings amid exchanges of blows.