Shloka 24
भीष्मशिबिरगमनम् — Duryodhana’s Visit to Bhīṣma’s Camp and the Command Appeal
प्रक्षीणसायका: शूरा निहताश्चा: श्रमातुरा: । विलयं समनुप्राप्तास्तक्षमाणा: परस्परम्
prakṣīṇasāyakāḥ śūrā nihatāś cāśramāturāḥ | vilayaṃ samanuprāptās takṣamāṇāḥ parasparam ||
قال سنجيا: «إنّ المحاربين الشجعان، وقد نفدت سهامهم وقُتلت خيولهم، أنهكهم الإعياء. ومع ذلك ظلّوا يضربون ويُضارِبون بعضهم بعضًا، حتى انتهوا إلى الهلاك.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of war: even heroic resolve cannot prevent collapse when resources and vitality are depleted. It highlights impermanence and the ethical gravity of conflict—valor persists, yet the outcome is mutual ruin.
Sañjaya reports that in the thick of battle many warriors have run out of arrows; their horses have been killed; they are exhausted, yet they continue to strike each other until they are destroyed.