Shloka 12
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms
गदा: प्रासाञ्छितान् कुन्तान् भिन्दिपालान् महाड्ः कुशान् | प्रगृह्य क्षिप्रमापेतु: परस्परजिघांसया
sañjaya uvāca |
gadāḥ prāsāñ chitān kuntān bhindipālān mahāṅkuśān |
pragṛhya kṣipram āpetuḥ parasparajighāṃsayā ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Pagkakuha ng mga gada, sibat, matatalim na javelin, mga bhindipāla, at malalaking panggoad, ang mga mandirigma ng magkabilang hukbo ay nagmadaling sumugod, udyok ng pagnanais na magpatayan. Ipinakikita ng talatang ito ang pagbagsak ng asal sa digmaan, kung saan ang jighāṃsā—“pagnanasang pumatay”—ang nagiging agarang motibo, nilulunod ang pagpipigil at paghatol.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intention drives action: when the mind is set on mutual killing (parasparajighāṃsā), the battlefield becomes a space where ethical restraint is overwhelmed by reciprocal hostility—an implicit warning about how desire and hatred can eclipse dharmic discernment even among disciplined warriors.
Sañjaya describes both armies surging into close combat, taking up heavy hand-weapons and missiles—maces, spears, javelins, bhindipālas, and large hooks—then rushing forward swiftly to strike each other down.