Shloka 32
तदद्धभुतं प्राणभूतां भयंकर निशाम्य युद्ध कुरुवीरमुख्ययो: । धनंजयस्याधिर थेश्ष विस्मिता: प्रशंसमाना: प्रययुस्तदा जना:,कौरव तथा पाण्डवपक्षके उन प्रमुख वीर अर्जुन और कर्णका वह अद्भुत तथा प्राणियोंके लिये भयंकर युद्ध देखकर सब लोग आश्वर्यचकित हो उनकी प्रशंसा करते हुए वहाँसे चले गये
tad adbhutaṁ prāṇabhūtān bhayaṅkaraṁ niśāmya yuddhaṁ kuru-vīra-mukhyayoḥ | dhanañjayasya adhiratheś ca vismitāḥ praśaṁsamānāḥ prayayus tadā janāḥ ||
Seeing that astonishing battle—terrifying to living beings—between the foremost heroes of the Kurus, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) and the chariot-warrior (Karna), the people were struck with wonder. Praising them both, they then departed from that place.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary martial prowess can evoke both fear and admiration, reminding the listener that war magnifies human qualities—courage, skill, and reputation—yet remains dreadful for living beings. It implicitly frames kṣatriya heroism as publicly witnessed and judged, where fame arises alongside the terror of violence.
Śalya describes the onlookers witnessing the fierce and astonishing duel between Arjuna and Karna. Amazed by what they see, the people praise both warriors and then leave the scene.