बलाहकेनेव महाबलाहको यदृच्छया वा गिरिणा यथा गिरि: । तथा धनुर्ज्यातलनेमिनिस्वनै: समीयतुस्ताविषुवर्षवर्षिणौ
balāhakeneva mahābalāhako yadṛcchayā vā giriṇā yathā giriḥ | tathā dhanurjyātalaneminisvanaiḥ samīyatus tāv iṣuvarṣavarṣiṇau ||
Disse Sañjaya: Como uma nuvem poderosa encontra outra nuvem, ou como uma montanha—pelo giro do destino—se lança a colidir com outra, assim aqueles dois heróis, derramando chuvas de flechas, avançaram para se enfrentar entre os sons profundos das cordas dos arcos, das palmas batendo e das rodas dos carros.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the impersonal force of fate and circumstance in war: the clash of great warriors is portrayed like natural phenomena (clouds, mountains), suggesting an overwhelming momentum that can eclipse individual intention—an ethical reminder of war’s gravity and inevitability once dharma has broken down into armed conflict.
Sañjaya describes two opposing heroes moving toward each other for a direct engagement, both releasing continuous volleys of arrows. The battlefield is filled with the resonant sounds of bowstrings, hands, and chariot wheels as they close in to fight.