Shloka 373
प्रतिपक्षग्रहं चक्र: कर्णार्जुनसमागमे । मान्यवर! सब लोग परस्पर भिन्न विचार व्यक्त करते सुनायी देते थे। देवता
pratipakṣagrahaṁ cakraḥ karṇārjunasamāgame |
संजय म्हणाला— “कर्ण आणि अर्जुन समोरासमोर येताच जमलेल्या सर्वांनी पक्ष-विपक्ष धरला. सर्वत्र निरनिराळी मते ऐकू येत होती. देव, दानव, गंधर्व, पिशाच, नाग आणि राक्षस—या सर्वांनी कर्ण-अर्जुनाच्या युद्धाविषयी आपापली बाजू निवडली।”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how momentous moral and martial confrontations generate polarization: even exalted and fearsome beings adopt partisan views. It suggests that war is not merely physical combat but a contest of reputations, perceived righteousness, and destiny, witnessed and judged by the wider cosmos.
Sañjaya reports that as Karṇa and Arjuna meet in battle, the surrounding hosts—gods, Dānavas, Gandharvas, Piśācas, Nāgas, and Rākṣasas—split into supporters and opponents, voicing differing expectations and loyalties regarding the duel.