Shloka 366
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
असिशभ्यां सम्प्रजह्गवाते परस्परमरिंदमौ । शत्रुओंका दमन करनेवाले वे दोनों यशस्वी वीर भ्रान्त, उद्धान्त, आविद्ध, आप्लुत, विप्लुत, सृत, सम्पात और समुदीर्ण आदि गति और पैंतरे दिखाते हुए परस्पर तलवारोंका वार करने लगे
asiśabhyāṁ samprajahgavāte parasparam ariṁdamau | śatrūṇāṁ damaṇa karanevāle ve donoṁ yaśasvī vīra bhrānta, uddhānta, āviddha, āpluta, vipluta, sṛta, sampāta aura samudīrṇa ādi gati aura paiṁtare dikhāte hue paraspara talavāroṁ kā vāra karane lage |
サンジャヤは言った。敵を砕く名高き二人の勇士は、互いに詰め寄り、剣の勝負に入った。敵を屈せんとの思いに燃え、刃を交えて打ち合いながら、武の身さばきと虚実の手を次々に示す――旋回し、跳び、突進し、身を躱して跳ね退き、踏み込み、うねるように前へ押し出す。いずれも一歩も退かず、機をうかがって優位を奪おうとした。ダルマが危機に瀕するこの陰鬱な舞台で、技と規律は極みに達するが、戦の暴力はその道義的代償をいよいよ重く締めつけてゆく。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds disciplined action within the warrior code: even amid destructive conflict, mastery, restraint, and focused intent are praised. Ethically, it also hints at the Mahabharata’s larger tension—excellence in duty can coexist with the tragic cost of violence when dharma is under strain.
Sañjaya describes two renowned enemy-subduing heroes engaging in close sword combat. They exchange blows while performing recognized battlefield movements—circling, leaping, darting, and feinting—to gain advantage over one another.