Shloka 25
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
ततः: समभवद् युद्ध घोररूपं भयानकम् | पाण्डूनां भगदत्तेन यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम्
tataḥ samabhavad yuddhaṃ ghorarūpaṃ bhayānakam | pāṇḍūnāṃ bhagadattena yamarāṣṭravivardhanam ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Kemudian bangkitlah suatu pertempuran—dahsyat rupanya dan menggerunkan untuk dipandang—antara pihak Pāṇḍava dan Bhagadatta; suatu konflik yang membesarkan wilayah Yama, kerana ramai dihantar kepada maut. Maka keganasan perang, didorong oleh kesombongan dan persaingan, menjadi jentera pemusnahan, bukan lagi pelindung dharma.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral gravity of war: when conflict becomes “yamarāṣṭra-vivardhana” (an increaser of Death’s realm), it highlights how unchecked hostility and pride turn battle into mass destruction, pressing the listener to reflect on dharma, restraint, and the cost of violence.
Sañjaya reports that a dreadful, fearsome battle erupts between the Pāṇḍavas and King Bhagadatta, described as so lethal that it effectively increases Yama’s domain—i.e., many warriors are slain.