Shloka 12
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
तयो: समभवद् युद्ध तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् । सात्यकि: कृतवर्माणं कृतवर्मा च सात्यकिम्
tayoḥ samabhavad yuddhaṃ tumulaṃ lomaharṣaṇam | sātyakiḥ kṛtavarmāṇaṃ kṛtavarmā ca sātyakim ||
അവരിരുവരുടെയും ഇടയിൽ ഭീകരവും കോലാഹലപൂർണവും രോമാഞ്ചകരവുമായ യുദ്ധം പൊട്ടിപ്പുറപ്പെട്ടു. സാത്യകി കൃതവർമയെ ആക്രമിച്ചു; കൃതവർമയും സാത്യകിയെ ആക്രമിച്ചു।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the kṣatriya world of reciprocal challenge and response: in war, actions meet counteractions. Ethically, it highlights the gravity of violence—combat is portrayed as terrifying—reminding the listener that even ‘duty-bound’ warfare carries fearsome human cost.
Sañjaya reports that Sātyaki and Kṛtavarmā engage directly. A fierce, chaotic duel erupts, with each warrior attacking the other in turn, intensifying the broader Kurukṣetra battle.