Shloka 296

Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

यियासन्तौ परं स्थानमन्योन्यं संजगर्जतु: । ब्रह्मतोकको सामने रखकर परमपद प्राप्त करनेकी इच्छावाले वे दोनों वीर कुछ कालतक एक-दूसरेकी ओर देखकर गर्जन-तर्जन करते रहे

Transliteration

yiyāsantau paraṁ sthānam anyonyaṁ saṁjagarjatuḥ |

Translation

Sañjaya said: Aspiring to the highest state, the two heroes stood facing one another for a while, roaring and challenging each other—each seeking glory and the supreme goal through valor in battle.

Word by Word

• यियासन्तौ: wishing to go / intending to reach
• यियासन्तौ: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु) / यियास् (इच्छार्थक-देशिदेरिवेटिव)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (present active participle), पुं, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• परम्: highest, supreme
• परम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर
• Form: नपुं, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• स्थानम्: place, state, position
• स्थानम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान
• Form: नपुं, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अन्योन्यम्: each other, mutually
• अन्योन्यम्: Karma
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्योन्य
• Form: true

• संजगर्जतुः: they roared / bellowed
• संजगर्जतुः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: गर्ज् (धातु) + सम् (उपसर्ग)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/परफेक्ट), परस्मैपद, प्रथम, द्विवचन

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames combat as a kṣatriya arena where courage, resolve, and acceptance of consequence are tested; the ‘highest state’ suggests that one’s intention and steadfastness in duty shape one’s destiny, even amid violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes two opposing champions pausing face-to-face, exchanging thunderous war-cries and challenges, each intent on achieving the supreme goal through victory or a heroic end.