Shloka 20
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
समेतौ तौ महेष्वासौ शुष्मिणौ स्पर्थिनौ रणे
sametau tau maheṣvāsau śuṣmiṇau spardhinau raṇe
Di medan laga, dua pemanah agung itu berhadapan—bernyala oleh semangat garang dan hasrat saling mengungguli.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical tension in the epic: martial excellence and competitive pride can intensify violence. It implicitly points to the need for restraint and right intention even within kṣatriya duty, since rivalry (spardhā) easily turns duty into ego-driven conflict.
Sañjaya describes two great archers coming face-to-face on the battlefield. The emphasis is on their equal prowess and their fierce, competitive resolve as they engage one another in the ongoing war.