Shloka 9
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
रथा रथैरविमथिता मत्ता मन्तैद्विपा द्विपै: सादिन: सादिभिश्लैव तस्मिन् परमसंकुले
sañjaya uvāca | rathā rathair avimathitā mattā mantair dvipā dvipaiḥ sādinaḥ sādibhiś caiva tasmin paramasaṅkule | dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ kṛpeṇātha tasmin vīravarakṣaye | śikhaṇḍī kṛtavarmāṇaṃ samāsādayad acyutam ||
サンジャヤは語った。「その最も錯綜した乱戦において—戦車は戦車と激突し、狂える象は敵の象に押し返され、騎兵は騎兵と斬り結んだ—ドリシュタデュムナは大英雄らの屍が重なるただ中でクリパと戦い、退かぬシカンディはクリタヴァルマンに迫って刃を交えた。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the grim ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma: even revered elders and famed heroes are drawn into relentless combat, and the battlefield’s chaos magnifies the cost of violence and the weight of duty-bound action.
Sanjaya describes a densely packed, chaotic battle where chariots, elephants, and cavalry collide. In this turmoil, Dhrishtadyumna fights Kripa, while Shikhandi advances to engage Kritavarma.