Shloka 1
Pāṇḍya-vadha-anantaram Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Response and the Renewed Battle
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके १५३ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ६६६ “लोक हैं।) #स्न्ैमा+ () अिऔमनने सप्तदशो< ध्याय: अर्जुनके द्वारा अश्वत्थामाकी पराजय संजय उवाच ततः समभवद् युद्ध शुक्राज्िरसवर्चसो: । नक्षत्रमभितो व्योम्नि शुक्राड्भिरसयोरिव
sañjaya uvāca | tataḥ samabhavad yuddhaṁ śukrāṅgirasavarcasaḥ | nakṣatram abhito vyomni śukrāṅgirasayor iva ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, kemudian tercetuslah pertempuran antara dua pahlawan yang bersinar seperti Śukra dan Aṅgiras (Bṛhaspati). Seperti Śukra dan Aṅgiras seolah-olah bertarung dekat gugusan bintang di langit, demikianlah di medan perang—dekat Śrī Kṛṣṇa—Aśvatthāmā dan Arjuna, yang sama gemilang, mula beradu senjata.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a cosmic simile (Śukra and Aṅgiras near the stars) to elevate the scene, implying that martial prowess is not merely personal rivalry but part of a larger order; in dharmic terms, how one fights—courage with discipline and restraint—matters as much as victory.
Sañjaya announces that a fierce duel begins, describing the combatants as shining like Śukra and Aṅgiras. In the chapter’s context, this introduces the climactic clash (traditionally understood as Arjuna and Aśvatthāmā) portrayed with celestial grandeur.