Shloka 40
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
असिशभ्यां चर्मणी चित्रे शतचन्द्रे नराधिप । निकृत्य पुरुषव्याप्रौ बाहुयुद्ध प्रचक्रतु:,राजेन्द्र! उस समय विश्राम करती हुई सम्पूर्ण सेनाओंके देखते-देखते लगभग दो घड़ीतक एक-दूसरेपर तलवारोंसे चोट करके दोनोंने दोनोंकी सौ चन्द्राकार चिह्लोंसे सुशोभित विचित्र ढालें काट डालीं। नरेश्वर! फिर वे दोनों पुरुषसिंह भुजाओंद्वारा मल्ल-युद्ध करने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | asibhyāṃ carmaṇī citre śatacandre narādhipa | nikṛtya puruṣavyāghrau bāhuyuddhaṃ pracakratuḥ ||
Wahai raja, kedua kesatria bak harimau itu, dengan tebasan pedang, meremukkan perisai-perisai menakjubkan bertanda seratus bulan; setelah perisai hancur, mereka pun bertarung jarak dekat dengan lengan, laksana pegulat, mempertontonkan keberanian dan daya tahan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its martial form: courage, stamina, and disciplined engagement even after weapons or defenses are lost. Ethically, it portrays steadfastness and honor in combat—continuing the contest directly rather than withdrawing or resorting to deceit.
Two elite warriors exchange sword blows and cut apart each other’s ornate shields marked with many moon-emblems, in full view of the resting armies. After the shields are destroyed, they shift to close-quarters, arm-to-arm fighting like wrestlers.