मणिमान् दण्डधारश्न राजानौ युद्धदुर्मदौ
maṇimān daṇḍadhāraśna rājānau yuddhadurmadau
Sañjaya berkata: “Dua orang raja—angkuh dan mabuk oleh amukan pertempuran—maju ke hadapan; yang seorang berhias permata, yang seorang lagi memegang senjata seperti tongkat; kesombongan mereka ditajamkan oleh keganasan perang.”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how war inflames pride (durmada), suggesting an ethical warning: martial power and royal status can become morally dangerous when driven by arrogance rather than dharma and restraint.
Sañjaya describes the appearance and temperament of two kings on the battlefield—one gem-adorned and another characterized as a staff-bearer—both portrayed as battle-intoxicated, setting the tone for imminent combat.