Shloka 32
तदद्धभुतं प्राणभूतां भयंकर निशाम्य युद्ध कुरुवीरमुख्ययो: । धनंजयस्याधिर थेश्ष विस्मिता: प्रशंसमाना: प्रययुस्तदा जना:
tad adbhutaṁ prāṇabhūtān bhayaṅkaraṁ niśāmya yuddhaṁ kuru-vīra-mukhyayoḥ | dhanañjayasya adhiratheś ca vismitāḥ praśaṁsamānāḥ prayayus tadā janāḥ ||
Menyaksikan pertempuran yang menakjubkan—mengerikan bagi segala makhluk—antara dua pahlawan utama kaum Kuru, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) dan sang kesatria-kereta (Karna), orang-orang pun terpana. Sambil memuji keduanya, mereka lalu beranjak dari tempat itu.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary martial prowess can evoke both fear and admiration, reminding the listener that war magnifies human qualities—courage, skill, and reputation—yet remains dreadful for living beings. It implicitly frames kṣatriya heroism as publicly witnessed and judged, where fame arises alongside the terror of violence.
Śalya describes the onlookers witnessing the fierce and astonishing duel between Arjuna and Karna. Amazed by what they see, the people praise both warriors and then leave the scene.