Shloka 81
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
ततो मुहूर्तात् तेडपश्यन् रजो भीम॑ समुत्थितम्
tato muhūrtāt te 'paśyan rajo bhīmaṃ samutthitam
Then, after a brief interval, they saw a dreadful cloud of dust rising up—an ominous sign on the battlefield, suggesting the approach or movement of great forces and intensifying the moral weight of the unfolding slaughter.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how war’s momentum manifests in ominous signs—here, a fearsome dust-cloud—reminding the listener that violence escalates beyond individual control and deepens the ethical gravity of the conflict.
Sañjaya reports that, after a short time, those present observe a terrifying mass of dust rising, typically indicating rapid movement of troops, chariots, or a major engagement about to unfold.