Shloka 12
कर्णस्य दानप्रतिज्ञा–शल्योपदेश–वाक्ययुद्धम्
Karna’s Gift-Vows, Shalya’s Counsel, and the Battle of Words
नरा नरै: समाजम्मुर्वारणा वरवारणै: । रथाश्र रथिग्रि: सार्थ हयाश्व हयसादिभि:
narā naraiḥ samāyattā vāraṇā vara-vāraṇaiḥ | rathāś ca rathibhiḥ sārdhaṃ hayāś ca haya-sādibhiḥ ||
Disse Sañjaya: Naquela batalha, a infantaria se fechou contra a infantaria, os elefantes contra os elefantes adversários, os guerreiros de carros contra guerreiros de carros, e os cavaleiros contra cavaleiros. Assim os exércitos se encontraram em combate de igual para igual, na economia ordenada e implacável da guerra, cada classe de lutador enfrentando a sua correspondente.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the structured nature of ancient warfare—each arm of the army (infantry, elephants, chariots, cavalry) engages its counterpart. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya-world’s emphasis on ordered combat and matched confrontation, even amid the larger tragedy of fratricidal war.
Sañjaya reports that the battle has fully joined: footmen clash with footmen, elephants with elephants, chariot-fighters with chariot-fighters, and horsemen with horsemen. The armies are interlocked in simultaneous engagements across all divisions.