Shloka 27

भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements

Devanagari script

रथं रथेन समरे पीडयित्वा महाबलौ,वे दोनों महाबली समरांगणमें अपने रथके द्वारा दूसरेके रथको पीड़ा देने लगे। उन्होंने आपसमें एक-दूसरेके रथ और घोड़ोंको नष्ट कर दिया। इस प्रकार रथहीन हुए वे दोनों महारथी उछलते-कूदते हुए एक-दूसरेका सामना करने लगे

Transliteration

rathaṃ rathena samare pīḍayitvā mahābalau |

Translation

سنجے نے کہا—میدانِ جنگ میں وہ دونوں زبردست جنگجو رتھ سے رتھ کو دباتے رہے۔ پھر انہوں نے ایک دوسرے کے رتھ اور گھوڑے تباہ کر ڈالے۔ یوں رتھ سے محروم ہو کر وہ دونوں مہارَتھی، بے قابو غضب میں، اچھلتے کودتے آمنے سامنے آ ڈٹے۔

Word by Word

रथम्chariot

रथेनwith/by (a) chariot

समरेin battle

पीडयित्वाhaving pressed/harassed

महाबलौthe two mighty-strong (warriors)

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

chariot (ratha)

battlefield/combat (samara)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of steadfastness in conflict: even when external supports (chariot, horses) are destroyed, the warriors persist. Ethically, it underscores how rivalry and determination can intensify violence, shifting the contest from weapons and vehicles to direct personal confrontation.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that two powerful fighters clash by driving their chariots against each other, damaging and destroying each other’s chariots and horses. Once both become chariotless, they continue the fight on foot, leaping and closing in for direct combat.