Shloka 12
अध्याय २९: कर्णस्य शल्यं प्रति शापस्मरणं च युद्धनिश्चयः | Chapter 29: Karṇa recalls curses to Śalya and declares resolve for battle
उस समय आपके हितैषी सुहृद् अतिरथी वीर वहाँ शिनिवंशशिरोमणि सात्यकिके शरोंसे अत्यन्त पीड़ित हुए महारथी कर्णके पास हाथी, घोड़े, रथ और पैदलोंकी चतुरंगिणी सेना साथ लेकर तुरंत आ पहुँचे ।।
tad-udadhi-nibham ādravad balaṁ tvarita-taraiḥ samabhidrutaṁ paraiḥ | drupada-suta-mukhaiḥ tadā bhavat-puruṣa-ratha-aśva-gaja-kṣayo mahān ||
Sañjaya berkata: Pada saat itu, para pahlawan atiratha—para sahabatmu—segera tiba di sisi Karna, sang mahāratha yang sangat menderita oleh panah Sātyaki, permata keturunan Śini, dengan membawa bala tentera caturangga: gajah, kuda, kereta dan infantri. Sesudah itu, musuh yang pantas, dipimpin putera-putera Drupada seperti Dhrishtadyumna, menyerang pasukanmu yang luas bagaikan lautan; pasukanmu pun meluru ke arah mereka. Maka terjadilah pembantaian besar—manusia, kereta, kuda dan gajah musnah bergelimpangan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical cost of war: when armies collide, the scale of destruction becomes indiscriminate—men and the very instruments of power (chariots, horses, elephants) are consumed. It implicitly warns that political ambition and enmity, once unleashed, generate suffering beyond any single warrior’s intent.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava host, vast like the sea, charges, but the opposing side rushes in even faster. With Drupada’s sons leading, a fierce clash ensues, resulting in massive losses of soldiers and war-assets—chariots, horses, and elephants.