Shloka 6
रथज्यातलनिद्वदिर्बाणसिंहरवैस्तथा । तौ रथावभिधावन्तौ समालोक्य महीक्षिताम्
sañjaya uvāca | rathajyātalanidvair bāṇasiṃharavaistathā | tau rathāvabhidhāvantau samālokya mahīkṣitām |
Sañjaya berkata: Di tengah denting tali busur, hentakan busur pada tapak tangan, desing anak panah, dan laungan perang laksana singa, dua kereta perang itu meluru terus satu sama lain. Melihat kedua-dua kereta itu menyerbu berhadapan—serta melihat panji-panji mereka rapat bersentuhan—para raja yang berhimpun di situ menjadi sangat hairan. Panji Karṇa memikul lambang rantai gajah, sedangkan pada panji Arjuna yang bermahkota duduk Vānara yang nyata (Hanumān).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of direct confrontation and the moral weight of war as a public, witnessed act: the kings’ astonishment underscores how martial prowess, symbols (dhvajas), and reputation shape the ethical and psychological landscape of battle.
Sañjaya describes Karṇa and Arjuna driving their chariots toward each other amid loud battle sounds. The onlookers marvel, especially noting the distinctive banners: Karṇa’s with an elephant-chain emblem and Arjuna’s crowned standard bearing Hanumān.