Shloka 52
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
ततश्नट्चटाशब्दो गोधाघातादभूत् तयो:,उस समय उन दोनोंके गोहचर्मके बने हुए दस्तानोंके आधातसे चटाचटकी आवाज होने लगी। साथ ही हथेलीका शब्द और महाभयंकर सिंहनाद भी होने लगा। रथके पहियोंकी घरघराहट और प्रत्यंचाकी भयंकर टंकार भी कानोंमें पड़ने लगी
tataś caṭacaṭāśabdo godhāghātād abhūt tayoḥ
ततः तयोर्गोधाचर्मकृतदस्तानां प्रहारात् “चटाचट” इति तीक्ष्णो नट्चटाशब्दोऽभवत्। सहैव तलशब्दः, महाभैरवः सिंहनादश्च, रथचक्राणां घरघराहटः, प्रत्यञ्चायाश्च दारुणा टंकारः श्रोत्रेषु पतितः।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse does not teach a doctrinal maxim directly; it ethically frames war as a force that amplifies aggression and fear. By foregrounding harsh, bodily and mechanical sounds, it highlights how battle overwhelms discernment and compassion, reminding the listener that violence quickly becomes all-consuming and dehumanizing.
Sañjaya describes the immediate sensory signs of two combatants closing in: the snapping clatter from their leather hand-guards as they strike, accompanied by palm-slaps, fierce lion-like shouts, the rumble of chariot wheels, and the loud twang of bowstrings—signals that the duel and the wider battle are intensifying.