Shloka 273
रथशक्तिभिरन्योन्यं विशिखैश्व ततक्षतु: । जैसे दो सिंह नखोंसे और दो महान् गजराज दाँतोंसे परस्पर प्रहार करते हैं, उसी प्रकार वे दोनों योद्धा रथशक्तियों और बाणोंद्वारा एक-दूसरेको घायल करने लगे
rathaśaktibhir anyonyaṃ viśikhaiś ca tatakṣatuḥ |
Sañjaya said: The two warriors struck each other in turn with javelins hurled from their chariots and with sharp arrows, wounding one another—like two lions raking with claws, or two mighty lordly elephants goring with tusks. The scene underscores the relentless reciprocity of battle, where valor and enmity drive both sides to inflict harm without pause.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the reciprocal nature of warfare: once combat is joined, each side mirrors the other’s aggression. It implicitly raises the ethical tension of kṣatriya valor—courage and skill are praised, yet the outcome is mutual injury, reminding the listener of war’s inexorable cost.
Sañjaya describes a fierce duel in which two opposing warriors repeatedly wound one another using thrown spears from their chariots and volleys of arrows. Their clash is compared to lions fighting with claws and great elephants striking with tusks.