Shloka 72
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
बलौघस्तु समासाद्य बलौघं सहसा रणे
balaughas tu samāsādya balaughaṃ sahasā raṇe
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, one massed host suddenly closed in upon another massed host—an abrupt collision of armies that signals how swiftly war turns into overwhelming, collective violence rather than a contest of individuals.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line underscores how war quickly becomes an impersonal clash of masses—once armies collide, individual intention and restraint are easily swallowed by momentum, reminding readers of the ethical gravity and uncontrollable escalation inherent in large-scale conflict.
Sañjaya describes a sudden engagement: one assembled host meets another on the battlefield, indicating that the opposing forces have closed distance and the fighting has intensified into a direct, large-scale collision.