Shloka 31
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
तावन्योन्यस्य धनुषी छिज्त्वान्योन्यं विनेदतु: । शक्तितोमरवर्षेण प्रावृण्मेघाविवाम्बुभि:
sañjaya uvāca |
āv anyonyasya dhanuṣī chittvā anyonyaṃ vinedatuḥ |
śakti-tomara-varṣeṇa prāvṛṇ-meghāv ivāmbubhiḥ |
maṇḍalāni tataḥ tau tu vicarantau mahāraṇe |
anyonyam abhitastūrṇaṃ samājagmatūr āhave ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Matapos putulin ang mga busog ng isa’t isa, ang dalawang mandirigma ay umungal at naghamon. Sa ulang ng mga sibat at tomara, tinakpan nila ang larangan na parang dalawang ulap sa tag-ulan na nagbubuhos ng tubig. Pagkaraan, habang umiikot sa malaking labanan—nagpapanggap, nagtatantiya, at naghahanap ng bentahe—mabilis silang naglapit upang magtunggali.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare tends to intensify: once primary weapons are disabled, combatants—driven by pride and anger—shift to deadlier means and close distance. Ethically, it illustrates the Mahābhārata’s recurring warning that unchecked rivalry and vainglory propel violence beyond initial limits.
Two opposing heroes cut each other’s bows, then bombard one another with spears and tomara-javelins like monsoon clouds raining water. Circling and maneuvering in the great battle, they quickly move in close for a more direct engagement.