Shloka 21
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
विस्मय: सर्वभूतानां समपद्यत भारत । भारत! वे दोनों महामनस्वी अस्त्रविद्याके विद्वान् तथा विचित्र प्रकारसे युद्ध करनेवाले थे। उन्हें देखकर समस्त प्राणियोंको बड़ा विस्मय हुआ || २० है ।। दुःशासनस्तु नकुलं प्रत्युद्याय महाबलम्
vismayaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ samapadyata bhārata | bhārata! tau dvau mahāmanasvī astravidyāyāḥ vidvāṃsau tathā vicitra-prakāreṇa yuddha-karaṇau tau dṛṣṭvā samasta-prāṇināṃ mahān vismayaḥ abhavat || duḥśāsanas tu nakulaṃ pratyudyāya mahābalam ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Bhārata, kehairanan menguasai segala makhluk. Kedua-dua pahlawan berjiwa agung itu menguasai ilmu persenjataan dan bertempur dengan cara yang menakjubkan serta beraneka; melihat mereka, seluruh makhluk pun terpukau. Lalu Duḥśāsana, yang berdaya besar, mara untuk berhadapan dengan Nakula.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary martial skill can captivate even amid violence, implicitly pointing to the Kṣatriya ideal of prowess and discipline; yet the surrounding narrative reminds the reader that such brilliance unfolds within a tragic conflict where ethical choices and consequences remain paramount.
Sañjaya reports that the combat between two eminent, weapon-skilled warriors astonishes all onlookers; immediately thereafter, the focus shifts as Duḥśāsana, a powerful Kaurava, advances to engage Nakula in battle.