Shloka 9
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
रथा रथैरविमथिता मत्ता मन्तैद्विपा द्विपै: सादिन: सादिभिश्लैव तस्मिन् परमसंकुले
sañjaya uvāca | rathā rathair avimathitā mattā mantair dvipā dvipaiḥ sādinaḥ sādibhiś caiva tasmin paramasaṅkule | dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ kṛpeṇātha tasmin vīravarakṣaye | śikhaṇḍī kṛtavarmāṇaṃ samāsādayad acyutam ||
Sañjaya berkata: Dalam kancah yang paling kacau itu—kereta perang bertembung dengan kereta perang, gajah yang mengamuk ditahan oleh gajah lawan, dan pasukan berkuda beradu dengan pasukan berkuda—Dhrishtadyumna bertempur dengan Kripa di tengah pembantaian para wira agung. Shikhandi, tidak berganjak, mara mendekati Kritavarma untuk bertarung.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the grim ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma: even revered elders and famed heroes are drawn into relentless combat, and the battlefield’s chaos magnifies the cost of violence and the weight of duty-bound action.
Sanjaya describes a densely packed, chaotic battle where chariots, elephants, and cavalry collide. In this turmoil, Dhrishtadyumna fights Kripa, while Shikhandi advances to engage Kritavarma.