Shloka 6
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
मुक्तास्तु रथिभिर्बाणा रुक्मपुड्खा: सुतेजस: । संनिपेतुरकुण्ठाग्रा नागेषु च हयेषु च,रथियोंके छोड़े हुए सुवर्णमय पंखयुक्त तेजस्वी बाण कहीं भी कुण्ठित न होकर हाथियों और घोड़ोंपर पड़ने लगे
muktās tu rathibhir bāṇā rukmapuṅkhāḥ sutejasaḥ | saṃnipetur akuṇṭhāgrā nāgeṣu ca hayeṣu ca ||
Sañjaya berkata: Para pahlawan kereta perang melepaskan anak panah—berkilau tajam, bersayap bulu emas. Hujungnya tidak tumpul; ia melayang berderet-deret dan menimpa gajah serta kuda, menambah ganasnya arus pertempuran yang tidak berbelas kasihan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive rather than doctrinal: it highlights how swiftly and effectively martial actions produce immediate consequences. In the epic’s ethical horizon, such vivid battle imagery underscores the gravity of choosing war—once unleashed, violence spreads with unstoppable force and affects even the supporting beings of war (horses and elephants).
Sanjaya reports that chariot-warriors have released volleys of brilliant, gold-fletched arrows. These arrows, with unblunted sharp tips, strike elephants and horses on the battlefield, conveying the intensity and lethal efficiency of the ongoing combat.