Shloka 12
कर्णस्य दानप्रतिज्ञा–शल्योपदेश–वाक्ययुद्धम्
Karna’s Gift-Vows, Shalya’s Counsel, and the Battle of Words
नरा नरै: समाजम्मुर्वारणा वरवारणै: । रथाश्र रथिग्रि: सार्थ हयाश्व हयसादिभि:
narā naraiḥ samāyattā vāraṇā vara-vāraṇaiḥ | rathāś ca rathibhiḥ sārdhaṃ hayāś ca haya-sādibhiḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Dalam pertempuran itu, infantri merapat melawan infantri, gajah berhadapan dengan gajah lawan, pahlawan kereta perang melawan pahlawan kereta perang, dan pasukan berkuda melawan pasukan berkuda. Demikianlah tentera bertemu dalam pertempuran sepadan—tersusun namun kejam—setiap golongan pejuang menentang lawan yang setara.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the structured nature of ancient warfare—each arm of the army (infantry, elephants, chariots, cavalry) engages its counterpart. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya-world’s emphasis on ordered combat and matched confrontation, even amid the larger tragedy of fratricidal war.
Sañjaya reports that the battle has fully joined: footmen clash with footmen, elephants with elephants, chariot-fighters with chariot-fighters, and horsemen with horsemen. The armies are interlocked in simultaneous engagements across all divisions.