अध्याय २९: कर्णस्य शल्यं प्रति शापस्मरणं च युद्धनिश्चयः | Chapter 29: Karṇa recalls curses to Śalya and declares resolve for battle
द्विरदनररथाश्वशड्खशब्दै: परिहृषिता विविधैश्व शस्त्रपातै: | द्विदरथपदातिसादिसंघा: परिकुपिताभिमुखा: प्रजध्निरे ते
sañjaya uvāca |
dviradanara-rathāśva-śaṅkha-śabdaiḥ parihṛṣitā vividhaiś ca śastra-pātaiḥ |
dvi-ratha-padāti-sādi-saṅghāḥ parikupitābhimukhāḥ prajaghnire te ||
Sañjaya berkata: Didorong oleh keterujaan akibat hiruk-pikuk gajah, manusia, kereta perang, kuda dan bunyi sangkakala, serta dipacu oleh pelbagai hentaman senjata, kumpulan penunggang gajah, pahlawan kereta, askar berjalan kaki dan penunggang kuda—dalam kemarahan dan berhadapan—menerpa satu sama lain lalu mula menewaskan musuh-musuh mereka.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how war amplifies emotion: the roar of armies and the impact of weapons generate exhilaration and anger that erode self-restraint. Ethically, it suggests that violence becomes contagious—momentum and retaliation can replace deliberation and dharmic discernment.
Sañjaya reports that the opposing forces—elephant corps, charioteers, infantry, and cavalry—rush at each other. Excited by the din of battle and provoked by repeated weapon-blows, they confront one another and begin striking and killing in close combat.