Shloka 373

Devanagari script

प्रतिपक्षग्रहं चक्र: कर्णार्जुनसमागमे । मान्यवर! सब लोग परस्पर भिन्न विचार व्यक्त करते सुनायी देते थे। देवता

Transliteration

pratipakṣagrahaṁ cakraḥ karṇārjunasamāgame |

Translation

三阇耶说道：当迦尔那与阿周那相对之时，聚集的众生纷纷站队——或赞成，或反对。四方皆闻异议之声；甚至诸天、达那婆、乾闼婆、毗舍遮、那伽与罗刹，也都就迦尔那与阿周那之战的胜负与是非，分列为彼此对立的阵营。此景昭示：一场战争的举动，足以使世界两极分化，将一切种类的存在都卷入评断与偏袒之中。

Word by Word

• प्रतिपक्षग्रहम्: taking of sides (acceptance of the opposing/own side)
• प्रतिपक्षग्रहम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिपक्षग्रह
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• चक्रुः: they made / they took up
• चक्रुः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: Perfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• कर्णार्जुनसमागमे: in the encounter/meeting of Karna and Arjuna
• कर्णार्जुनसमागमे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्णार्जुनसमागम
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Karṇa
• Arjuna
• Devatās
• Dānavas
• Gandharvas
• Piśācas
• Nāgas
• Rākṣasas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how momentous moral and martial confrontations generate polarization: even exalted and fearsome beings adopt partisan views. It suggests that war is not merely physical combat but a contest of reputations, perceived righteousness, and destiny, witnessed and judged by the wider cosmos.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that as Karṇa and Arjuna meet in battle, the surrounding hosts—gods, Dānavas, Gandharvas, Piśācas, Nāgas, and Rākṣasas—split into supporters and opponents, voicing differing expectations and loyalties regarding the duel.