Shloka 23
रणभूमिवर्णनम् — Devāsuropama-yuddha and the ‘River’ Metaphor of the Battlefield
तस्य सूतो महाराज रथस्थो5शोभयद् रथम् । स तेन संवृतो वीरो रथेनामित्रकर्षण:
tasya sūto mahārāja rathastho 'śobhayad ratham | sa tena saṁvṛto vīro rathenāmitrakarṣaṇaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai raja agung, saisnya, berdiri di atas kereta, menjadikan kereta itu tampak gemilang dengan kemahiran dan kesiapsiagaan. Dilindungi serta disokong oleh kereta itu, sang wira penunduk musuh mara ke hadapan—kekuatan perangnya kini terserlah melalui disiplin perang kereta, tempat perlindungan, kawalan, dan kewajipan bertemu di tengah keganasan medan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that victory and valor in war are not only personal traits of the warrior but also depend on disciplined support—especially the charioteer and the well-prepared chariot. It implicitly affirms kṣatriya-dharma: competence, readiness, and coordinated roles in a righteous (duty-bound) battle setting.
Sañjaya describes a warrior whose charioteer, standing on the chariot, makes it appear splendid and battle-ready. The hero, protected and framed by that chariot, proceeds as an enemy-subduer—emphasizing the chariot as both weapon-platform and shield.