Shloka 39
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
मुहूर्तमिव राजेन्द्र समाहत्य परस्परम् । पश्यतां सर्वसैन्यानां वीरावाश्वसतां पुन:,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 | muhūrtam iva rājendra samāhatya parasparam | paśyatāṃ sarvasainyānāṃ vīrāv āśvasatāṃ punaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O king, for what seemed like a brief while, the two heroes struck each other in close combat, as all the armies looked on. Then, after catching their breath again, they continued the duel—its intensity displayed before the resting troops—pressing the fight onward with unwavering resolve.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness under pressure: even after a brief pause to recover, the warriors resume combat before the watching armies. Ethically, it underscores discipline, endurance, and the public accountability of martial conduct in war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that two heroes engage in mutual striking for a short time in full view of the assembled troops; then, after taking breath again, they continue the fight, maintaining the duel’s intensity before the onlooking armies.