Shloka 23
Pṛthā’s Atithi-Sevā and the Gift of the Deva-Āhvāna Mantra (पृथायाः अतिथिसेवा तथा देवाह्वानमन्त्रप्रदानम्)
ततः सुतुमुलं युद्धम भवल्लोमहर्षणम् । दूषणानुजयो: पार्थ लक्ष्मणस्य च धीमत:,युधिष्ठिर! फिर तो दूषणके भाइयों तथा बुद्धिमान् लक्ष्मणमें ऐसा भयंकर युद्ध हुआ, जो रोंगटे खड़े कर देनेवाला था
tataḥ sutumulaṃ yuddham abhaval lomaharṣaṇam | dūṣaṇānujayoḥ pārtha lakṣmaṇasya ca dhīmataḥ, yudhiṣṭhira ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: Then there arose a fiercely tumultuous battle—one that made the hair stand on end—between the younger brothers of Dūṣaṇa and the wise Lakṣmaṇa, O Yudhiṣṭhira. The scene underscores how, once violence is unleashed, even capable and discerning warriors are drawn into terrifying conflict, testing steadiness, restraint, and righteous conduct amid chaos.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrifying momentum of warfare: once conflict begins, it becomes overwhelming and tests a warrior’s discernment (dhī) and adherence to dharma under extreme pressure.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that a dreadful, tumultuous battle erupts between Dūṣaṇa’s younger brothers and the wise Lakṣmaṇa, addressing Yudhiṣṭhira as the listener.