Shloka 31
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
तावन्योन्यस्य धनुषी छिज्त्वान्योन्यं विनेदतु: । शक्तितोमरवर्षेण प्रावृण्मेघाविवाम्बुभि:
sañjaya uvāca |
āv anyonyasya dhanuṣī chittvā anyonyaṃ vinedatuḥ |
śakti-tomara-varṣeṇa prāvṛṇ-meghāv ivāmbubhiḥ |
maṇḍalāni tataḥ tau tu vicarantau mahāraṇe |
anyonyam abhitastūrṇaṃ samājagmatūr āhave ||
Sañjaya berkata: Setelah memutuskan busur masing-masing, kedua-dua pahlawan mula mengaum dan saling mencabar. Dengan hujan lembing dan tomara, mereka menutupi medan seperti dua awan monsun yang mencurahkan air. Kemudian, sambil berputar dalam bulatan dan memperdaya mencari ruang, mereka segera merapat untuk bertempur secara langsung.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare tends to intensify: once primary weapons are disabled, combatants—driven by pride and anger—shift to deadlier means and close distance. Ethically, it illustrates the Mahābhārata’s recurring warning that unchecked rivalry and vainglory propel violence beyond initial limits.
Two opposing heroes cut each other’s bows, then bombard one another with spears and tomara-javelins like monsoon clouds raining water. Circling and maneuvering in the great battle, they quickly move in close for a more direct engagement.