Shloka 47
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
द्वात्रिंशत्करणानि स्युर्यानि युद्धानि भारत । तान्यदर्शयतां तत्र युध्यमानौ महाबलौ,भारत! इस प्रकार वे दोनों महाबली वीर परस्पर जूझते हुए मल्ल-युद्धकी जो बत्तीस कलाएंँ हैं, उनका प्रदर्शन करने लगे
sañjaya uvāca |
dvātriṃśat-karaṇāni syur yāni yuddhāni bhārata |
tāny adarśayatāṃ tatra yudhyamānau mahābalau ||
Sañjaya said: O Bhārata, there are said to be thirty-two combat-manoeuvres used in wrestling and close fighting. There, the two mighty warriors, locked in combat, began displaying those techniques—each testing the other’s strength and skill as the battle’s violence narrowed into a disciplined, rule-bound contest of prowess.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, combat is portrayed as governed by trained method (karaṇa) and disciplined skill, reflecting the kṣatriya ideal that strength should be expressed through mastery and controlled technique rather than mere chaos.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that two powerful fighters are engaged at close quarters and are demonstrating the traditional set of thirty-two wrestling/combat manoeuvres while battling each other.