Shloka 76

Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions

Devanagari script

केकया भ्रातर: पञ्च गान्धारान्‌ पञठ्च मारिष | ससैन्यास्ते ससैन्यांश्ष॒ योधयामासुराहवे,राजन! पाँच भाई केकयराजकुमारोंने सेनासहित आकर युद्धमें अपनी विशाल वाहिनीके साथ खड़े हुए गान्धारदेशीय पाँच वीरोंके साथ युद्ध आरम्भ किया

Transliteration

kekayā bhrātaraḥ pañca gāndhārān pañca māriṣa | sa-sainyās te sa-sainyāṁś ca yodhayāmāsur āhave rājan ||

Translation

สัญชัยกล่าวว่า—ข้าแต่พระราชา พี่น้องชาวเคกยะทั้งห้าพร้อมกองทัพของตนยกมา แล้วเข้าประจัญบานกับวีรชนชาวคันธาระทั้งห้าที่ตั้งมั่นพร้อมไพร่พลของตนในสนามรบ

Word by Word

केकयाःthe Kekayas

भ्रातरःbrothers

पञ्चfive

गान्धारान्the Gandharas

पञ्चfive

मारिषO noble one / O sir

ससैन्याःwith their army

तेthey

ससैन्यान्who had their armies (i.e., with their forces)

योधयामासुःthey caused to fight / they fought (engaged in battle)

आहवेin battle

राजन्O king

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sanjaya

Dhritarashtra (implied by 'rājan')

Kekaya (people/warriors)

the five Kekaya brothers

Gandhara (people/warriors)

the five Gandhara warriors

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores the epic reality of kshatriya-dharma in wartime: once alliances are formed and armies assembled, duty and loyalty to one’s side drive combat even against equally valorous opponents. It highlights how collective obligations and political bonds intensify conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sanjaya reports to the king that the five Kekaya brothers, supported by their troops, begin fighting against five Gandhara warriors who also stand with their own forces—marking a specific engagement within the larger Kurukshetra battle.