Shloka 5
भीमसेन–कर्णयुद्धवर्णनम्
Description of the Bhīmasena–Karṇa Engagement
ते पिबन्त इवाकाशमणश्लैरष्टी महारथा: । व्यराजयन् दश दिशो वैयाप्रैहेंमचन्द्रकै:,भूरिश्रवा, शल, कर्ण, वृषसेन, जयद्रथ, कृपाचार्य, मद्रराज शल्य तथा रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अश्वत्थामा--ये आठ महारथी व्याप्रचर्मद्वारा आच्छादित तथा सुवर्णमय चन्द्रचिह्रोंसे विभूषित अअश्वोंद्वागा आकाशको पीते हुए-से दसों दिशाओंको सुशोभित कर रहे थे
te pibanta ivākāśam aṇuślāir aṣṭau mahārathāḥ | vyarājayan daśa diśo vaiyāprāiḥ hema-candrakaiḥ || bhūriśravāḥ śalaḥ karṇaḥ vṛṣasenaḥ jayadrathaḥ | kṛpācāryaḥ madrarājaḥ śalya tathā rathīnāṃ śreṣṭha aśvatthāmā ||
Delapan mahāratha itu seakan-akan meneguk langit oleh debu yang terangkat oleh laju mereka; berbalut kulit harimau dan berhias lambang bulan dari emas, mereka membuat sepuluh penjuru menyala oleh kemegahan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war can appear glorious—elite warriors, shining insignia, and sweeping momentum—yet this splendour is ethically ambiguous. It invites reflection on how external brilliance and reputation can mask the grave human cost and moral peril inherent in violent conflict.
Sañjaya describes a formation of eight renowned Kaurava-aligned chariot-warriors advancing with such speed that dust seems to ‘drink the sky.’ Their armour and golden moon insignia make the battlefield’s directions appear illuminated, emphasizing their collective presence and impending impact in the battle.