Shloka 8
भीमसेनस्य गदायुद्ध-प्रभावः
The Battlefield Impact of Bhīmasena’s Mace Combat
लक्ष्मणस्तव पौत्रस्तु सौभद्रं समवस्थितम् । अभ्यवर्तत संहृष्टस्ततो युद्धमवर्तत
lakṣmaṇas tava pautras tu saubhadraṃ samavasthitam | abhyavartata saṃhṛṣṭas tato yuddham avartata ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Ang iyong apo na si Lakṣmaṇa, nang makita si Saubhadra (Abhimanyu), anak ni Subhadrā, na nakatindig sa harap niya, ay sumulong na may galak at sigasig ng mandirigma. At doon nagsimula ang labanan nilang dalawa.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly personal exhilaration and martial pride can propel warriors into violence once they face a worthy opponent. It reflects the kṣatriya battlefield ethos—meeting challenge with immediate action—while also hinting at the tragic inevitability of escalation in war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Lakṣmaṇa, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s grandson, sees Abhimanyu (Saubhadra) standing ready and, thrilled, advances to attack him. As a result, combat begins between Lakṣmaṇa and Abhimanyu.