Shloka 13
तौ दृष्टवा पुरुषव्याप्रौ रथस्थौ रथिनां वरौ | प्रगृहीतमहाचापौ शरशक्तिध्वजायुतौ
tau dṛṣṭvā puruṣavyāghrau rathasthau rathināṁ varau | pragṛhīta-mahācāpau śara-śakti-dhvajāyutau ||
Sañjaya berkata: Melihat dua wira laksana harimau itu—berdiri di atas kereta perang, yang terunggul antara para rathin—masing-masing menggenggam busur besar, lengkap dengan anak panah, lembing, dan panji—maka bala tentera dipenuhi kegirangan. Pertemuan itu digambarkan sebagai duel kemuncak, seakan-akan kosmik: dua juara yang tampak setara, digerakkan oleh kehendak untuk membunuh dan untuk menang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the epic’s war-ethos: when dharma is contested on the battlefield, individual excellence and preparedness become decisive, yet the grandeur of martial skill also signals the danger of pride and the vast consequences of personal rivalry for entire armies.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that two supreme chariot-warriors have come into view, both fully armed and bannered, appearing evenly matched; their very sight electrifies the troops, setting the stage for a pivotal confrontation.