Shloka 96
कर्णस्य दानप्रतिज्ञा–शल्योपदेश–वाक्ययुद्धम्
Karna’s Gift-Vows, Shalya’s Counsel, and the Battle of Words
अन्वयु: समरे राजंस्ततो युद्धमवर्तत । राजन! तत्पश्चात् समस्त पाण्डव भी युधिष्ठिरको सब ओरसे घेरकर उनका अनुसरण करने लगे; फिर तो दोनों दलोंमें भारी युद्ध छिड़ गया
anvayuḥ samare rājan tato yuddham avartata | rājan tatpaścāt samastāḥ pāṇḍavā bhī yudhiṣṭhiram sarvataḥ gherayitvā tam anusaranti sma; tataḥ ubhayasainyayoḥ ghoraṃ yuddhaṃ samajāyata ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “O Hari, sumulong sila sa larangan, at muling umalimpuyo ang labanan. Pagkaraan nito, pinalibutan ng lahat ng Pāṇḍava si Yudhiṣṭhira sa bawat panig at sumunod nang dikit; kaya sumiklab ang mabangis na digmaan sa pagitan ng dalawang hukbo. Ipinahihiwatig ng taludtod ang tungkuling magtanggol ng mga kasama—ang pagkalasag sa matuwid na pinuno—at ipinakikita rin kung gaano kabilis lumalakas ang dahas kapag nagsimula ang paghabol at pagpalibot.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-ethic within dharma: companions rally to protect their leader (Yudhiṣṭhira) by surrounding him, yet the same solidarity can also accelerate the spread of violence when pursuit turns into full-scale battle.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that movement and pursuit on the battlefield lead to renewed fighting; the Pāṇḍavas close ranks around Yudhiṣṭhira and advance with him, and a fierce clash breaks out between the two armies.