Shloka 6
Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
सब लोग अनुमानसे और नाम बतानेसे शत्रु तथा मित्रकी पहचान करके परस्पर युद्ध करते थे। परस्पर जूझते हुए उन वीरोंका वहाँ बड़ा भारी विनाश हो रहा था ।।
tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā krodhena mahatā yutaḥ | jigīṣamāṇaḥ saṅgrāme dhārtarāṣṭrān sa-rājakān ||
Sañjaya berkata: Di sana mereka mengenal pasti musuh dan sahabat melalui tanda-tanda serta dengan menyebut nama, lalu bertempur rapat sesama sendiri. Ketika para wira itu saling bergelut, kebinasaan yang amat besar sedang berlaku di tempat itu. Maka Raja Yudhiṣṭhira, dikuasai kemarahan yang dahsyat, memasuki medan perang dengan tekad menundukkan kaum Dhārtarāṣṭra bersama raja mereka.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a ruler committed to dharma may be compelled, under extreme injustice and loss, to act with forceful resolve. The verse frames anger not as blind rage but as a catalyst for decisive kṣatriya action aimed at restoring order—while the surrounding carnage reminds the listener of war’s grave ethical cost.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira, filled with great anger, advances in the battle determined to defeat the Kauravas along with their king (Duryodhana). Around him, combatants identify allies and enemies by signs and by calling names, and heavy slaughter of warriors is occurring.