अध्याय २२ — अमर्याद-युद्धवर्णन
Unrestrained Battle Description and Śakuni’s Rear Assault
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम तव पुत्रस्य विक्रमम् । यदेक॑ सहिता: पार्था नाभ्यवर्तन्त भारत,भारत! हमने वहाँ आपके पुत्रका यह अद्भुत पराक्रम देखा कि समस्त पाण्डव एक साथ मिलकर भी उस एकाकी वीरका सामना नहीं कर सके
tatrādbhutam apaśyāma tava putrasya vikramam | yad ekaḥ sahitāḥ pārthā nābhyavartanta bhārata ||
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम तव पुत्रस्य विक्रमम् । यदेकः सहिताḥ पार्था नाभ्यवर्तन्त भारत ॥
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights that unity and numbers do not automatically guarantee success; courage, skill, and determination can dominate a moment in battle. Ethically, it also reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension: admiration for martial excellence coexists with the sorrowful recognition that such glory unfolds within a destructive war.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra what he has witnessed on the battlefield: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son displays remarkable prowess, such that even the Pāṇḍavas together are unable to advance and confront him at that moment.