Shloka 5
रथा रथैरिभैर्नागास्तथैव भरतर्षभ । संसक्ताश्च वियुक्ताश्न योधा: संन्यपतन् रणे,भरतश्रेष्ठ! रथोंसे रथ और हाथियोंसे हाथी गुँथ जाते थे। इस प्रकार कभी सटकर और कभी विलग होकर वे योद्धा रणभूमिमें गिरने लगे
sañjaya uvāca |
rathā rathair ibhair nāgās tathaiva bharatarṣabha |
saṃsaktāś ca viyuktāś ca yodhāḥ saṃnyapatan raṇe ||
रथा रथैरिभैर्नागास्तथैव भरतर्षभ। संसक्ताश्च वियुक्ताश्च योधाः संन्यपतन् रणे॥ हे भरतर्षभ! रथाः रथैः, गजा गजैः समागम्य गुञ्जन्ति स्म; एवं योधाः कदाचित् संसक्ताः कदाचिद् वियुक्ताः सन्तो रणभूमौ निपेतुः।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the brutal instability of war: formations and engagements constantly shift—contact and separation alternate—yet the outcome is repeated falling and death. It implicitly highlights impermanence and the grave cost that accompanies kṣatriya warfare.
Sañjaya describes the intensity of the fighting: chariots crash into chariots and elephants clash with elephants. Warriors repeatedly engage at close quarters, then break apart, and many are struck down on the battlefield.