Shloka 45
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
पादावकर्षसंधानैस्तोमराड्कुशलासनै: । पादोदरविबन्धैश्व भूमावुद्भ्रमणैस्तथा,जैसे दो हाथी दाँतोंके अग्रभागसे तथा दो साँड़ सीगोंसे लड़ते हैं, उसी प्रकार वे दोनों वीर कभी भुजपाशोंसे बाँधकर, कभी सिरोंकी टक्कर लगाकर, कभी पैरोंसे खींचकर, कभी पैरमें पैर लपेटकर, कभी तोमर-प्रहारके समान ताल ठोंककर, कभी अंकुश गड़ानेके समान एक-दूसरेको नोचकर, कभी पादबन्ध, उदरबन्ध, उद्भ्रमणःर, गतः, प्रत्यागतः॑, आक्षेपर%ँ, पातनः, उत्थान और संप्लुत* आदि दावोंका प्रदर्शन करते हुए वे दोनों महामनस्वी कुरु और सात्वतवंशके प्रमुख वीर परस्पर युद्ध कर रहे थे
sañjaya uvāca | pādāvakārṣa-sandhānaiḥ stomarāṅkuśalāsanaiḥ | pādodara-vibandhaiś ca bhūmāv udbhramaṇais tathā ||
Sañjaya said: Like two elephants clashing with the tips of their tusks, or like two bulls locking horns, those two heroes fought each other at close quarters—now seizing and binding with their arms, now butting head to head, now dragging by the feet, now entwining leg with leg; striking and stamping as in a tomara-blow, gouging as with an elephant-goad; displaying holds and locks of foot and waist, and whirling turns upon the ground. Thus the great-souled champions—the foremost of the Kurus and the leading hero of the Sātvata line—contended in a fierce, disciplined duel.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined, rule-bound valor: even amid lethal war, elite warriors display trained control, technique, and measured engagement—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma where skill and restraint are as central as ferocity.
Sañjaya describes a close-quarters duel between two foremost champions (one Kuru, one Sātvata), comparing them to elephants and bulls. They grapple with holds, locks, drags, stamps, gouges, and spinning maneuvers, showing a wrestling-like exchange rather than distant weapon combat.