Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
हयांश्व तेषां निर्भिद्य सारथींश्षु परंतप । शरैश्वैतान् समाकीर्य प्रायाच्छल्यरथं प्रति,परंतप! फिर उनके घोड़ों और सारथियोंको विदीर्ण करके उनके शरीरोंमें भी बहुत-से बाण जड़ दिये। इसके बाद श्वेतने शल्यके रथपर धावा किया
hayāṁś ca teṣāṁ nirbhidya sārathīṁś ca parantapa | śaraiś caitān samākīrya prāyāc chalyarathaṁ prati ||
قال سنجيا: يا مُحْرِقَ الأعداء، بعدما ثقب خيولهم وسُوّاقَ مركباتهم، ثم أمطرهم بالسهام حتى غدت أجسادهم مرصّعةً بالعِيدان، اندفع شْوِيتا اندفاعًا مباشرًا نحو مركبة شاليا.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the grim mechanics of righteous warfare (kṣatriya-dharma): victory is pursued through tactical disabling of the enemy’s chariot-force (horses and charioteer), yet the narrative also implicitly foregrounds the ethical burden of such necessary brutality in war.
Sañjaya describes Śveta’s assault: he pierces the opposing side’s horses and charioteers, showers the warriors with arrows, and then advances to engage Śalya directly by charging toward Śalya’s chariot.