Shloka 31
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
रथिनश्न रथै राजन् कर्णिनालीकसायकै: । निहत्य समरे वीरान् सिंहनादान् विनेदिरे,राजन! रथी लोग रथोंपर आरूढ़ हो कर्णी, नालीक और सायकोंद्वारा समरमें वीरोंका वध करके सिंहनाद कर रहे थे
rathinaś ca rathaiḥ rājan karṇinālīkasāyakaiḥ | nihatya samare vīrān siṃhanādān vinedire ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, para kesatria kereta, berdiri di atas kereta-kereta mereka, menewaskan para pahlawan dalam pertempuran dengan panah karṇī, nālīka, dan lainnya; lalu mereka mengaumkan pekik kemenangan laksana singa.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethos: prowess in arms, victory-cries, and the psychological dimension of war. Ethically, it reflects how martial duty and the pursuit of triumph can normalize violence and celebration of killing, a tension repeatedly examined in the epic’s wider dharma discourse.
Sañjaya reports to the king that chariot-fighters, using specialized arrows and missiles, are cutting down opposing heroes in the battle and then raising loud lion-like roars—signals of victory meant to inspire allies and terrify enemies.