कालवच्चरते वीर: पड्चालानां रथव्रजे । तमप्यासाद्य समरे मित्रार्थे मित्रवत्सल
sañjaya uvāca |
kālavac carate vīraḥ pāñcālānāṃ rathavraje |
tam apy āsādya samare mitrārthe mitravatsalaḥ ||
Disse Sañjaya: Como a própria Morte, aquele herói movia-se através da hoste de carros dos Pāñcālas. Mesmo quando o enfrentavam em combate, o guerreiro amigo dos seus permanecia firme pelo bem dos aliados—guardando a lealdade à amizade em meio ao morticínio.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights steadfast loyalty: even amid the terror of war—where a warrior seems to move like Death itself—one who is mitravatsala (devoted to friends) stands firm for the sake of allies. Ethical emphasis falls on constancy to one’s chosen bonds and duties under extreme pressure.
Sañjaya describes a fearsome warrior moving through the Pāñcāla chariot formation like Kāla (Death). Despite confronting such a deadly opponent in battle, the friend-loving fighter does not retreat and continues to fight for the sake of his friends/allies.