Shloka 12
अर्जुनस्य दिग्विजयारम्भः — Arjuna Initiates the Northern Campaign and Secures Bhagadattta’s Tribute
स्कन्धे दोर्भ्या समाहत्य निहत्य च मुहुर्मुहु: । अड्मज्जैः समाश्लिष्य पुनरास्फालनं विभो
skandhe dorbhyā samāhatya nihatya ca muhur muhuḥ | aḍmajjaiḥ samāśliṣya punar āsphālanaṃ vibho rājan |
Wahai Raja, wahai yang perkasa! Mereka saling menghentam bahu berulang-ulang dengan lengan; kemudian merapat, mengunci tubuh anggota demi anggota, bergelut erat dan saling menggesel serta menggoncang satu sama lain berkali-kali dalam himpitan perlawanan.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive, but it implicitly warns how unchecked rivalry and pride can escalate from measured contest to brutal, repetitive violence, highlighting the need for restraint and dharmic self-control even amid displays of strength.
Two combatants close distance: they strike each other’s shoulders with their arms repeatedly, then clinch tightly—limb to limb—and continue by grinding, wrenching, and shaking each other in a sustained grapple.