Shloka 8
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — इरावान्-आवन्त्ययोः युद्धम्, घटोत्कच-भगदत्त-संघर्षः, मद्रेश्वर-विक्षेपः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya Dialogue: Irāvān vs the Avanti princes; Ghaṭotkaca vs Bhagadatta; Śalya checked by the Mādrī twins
आरोहे पर्यवस्कन्दे सरणे सान्तप्लुते | सम्यक् प्रहरणे याने व्यपयाने च कोविदम्
ārohe paryavaskande saraṇe sāntapplute | samyak praharaṇe yāne vyapayāne ca kovidam
Sañjaya berkata: “Dia mahir menaiki dan melompat ke atas kereta perang, cekap berundur dengan pantas dan mara secara mendadak, serta tepat dalam mengendalikan senjata—sama mahir ketika memacu maju mahupun menarik diri dalam pertempuran.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined competence in warfare: true martial excellence includes agility, correct weapon-use, and the judgment to advance or withdraw appropriately—skill guided by strategy rather than mere aggression.
Sañjaya is describing a warrior’s battlefield proficiency, emphasizing chariot agility and tactical movement—charging, evading, and retreating—along with proper, effective use of weapons.