Shloka 2836
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
परस्परमयुध्येतां वारणाविव यूथपौ । कुरुकुल तथा वृष्णिवंशके यशके विस्तार करनेवाले उत्तमकर्मा भूरिश्रवा और सात्यकि इस प्रकार दो यूथपति गजराजोंके समान परस्पर युद्ध करने लगे
parasparam ayudhyetāṃ vāraṇāv iva yūthapau | kurukule tathā vṛṣṇivaṃśake yaśaḥke vistāraṃ karṇevāle uttamakarmā bhūriśravā ca sātyakiś ca evaṃ dvau yūthapati-gajarājau samānaṃ parasparaṃ yuddhaṃ cakratuḥ |
Sañjaya said: Thus Bhūriśravā—renowned for noble deeds and for spreading the fame of the Kuru line—and Sātyaki—an enhancer of the glory of the Vṛṣṇi race—engaged one another in battle, like two leader-elephants contending within their herds. Their duel, driven by loyalty to their respective houses, displays the fierce honor-code of warriors even as it deepens the tragedy of kin-based war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness and honor in combat—warriors seek to uphold the fame of their lineage—while implicitly underscoring the ethical tension of a fratricidal war where loyalty to clan fuels escalating violence.
Sañjaya describes Bhūriśravā and Sātyaki entering a direct duel. Their clash is compared to two dominant herd-leader elephants fighting, emphasizing their strength, status, and the intensity of the encounter.