Shloka 14
Karṇa-parva Adhyāya 20 — Yudhiṣṭhira–Duryodhana Encounter and Escalation of Arms
तेन शब्देन महता संद्ृष्ठ श्चक़्ुराहवम् । वीरा वीरैर्महाघोरं कलहान्तं तितीर्षव:
tena śabdena mahatā saṃdṛṣṭaś cakṣur āhavam | vīrā vīrair mahāghoraṃ kalahāntaṃ titīrṣavaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Nayanig ng malakas na ugong na iyon, itinuon ng mga mandirigma ang tingin sa larangan ng digmaan. Nagnanais na tawirin ang tunggalian hanggang sa wakas, ang mga bayani—bayani laban sa bayani—ay napuspos ng pananabik at paninindigan, at sumuong sa isang lubhang kakila-kilabot na labanan laban sa mga kampeon ng kabilang panig.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological momentum of war: a single overwhelming sound can ignite collective courage and determination. Ethically, it underscores the Kṣatriya ethos of steadfastness—once engaged, warriors seek to see the conflict through to its conclusion, even when the struggle is ‘mahāghora’ (terrible).
Sañjaya describes how, upon hearing a great tumult/roar, the warriors focus on the battlefield and, filled with excitement and resolve, engage the opposing heroes in fierce combat, intent on pressing the struggle toward its end.