Shloka 52
Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure
Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin
पश्येमां नभसस्तुल्यां शरज्नक्षत्रमालिनीम् । “तारागणोंसे जिसकी विचित्र शोभा होती है तथा जहाँ निर्मल चन्द्रमाकी चाँदनी छिटकी रहती है, उस आकाशके समान इस रणभूमिकी शोभाको देखो। जान पड़ता है कि यह शरद-ऋतुके नक्षत्रोंकी मालाओंसे अलंकृत है || ५१ ई ।। एतत् तवैवानुरूपं कर्मार्जुन महाहवे
paśyemāṃ nabhasas-tulyāṃ śaraj-nakṣatra-mālinīm | etat tavaivānurūpaṃ karmārjuna mahāhave ||
Sañjaya said: “Behold this battlefield, resplendent like the sky—adorned as though with garlands of autumnal constellations. This deed, O Arjuna, in the great battle, is indeed befitting of you.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames Arjuna’s action in war as ‘anurūpa’—befitting his role—highlighting the Mahābhārata’s ethical lens that a kṣatriya’s dharma includes steadfast performance of duty in a righteous battle, even amid violence.
Sañjaya, narrating the battle, uses celestial imagery to describe the battlefield’s appearance and then directly commends Arjuna’s deed in the great combat as appropriate to his stature and nature as a warrior.