Shloka 36
Duryodhana Seeks Droṇa’s Counsel; Imperative to Protect Jayadratha; Pāñcāla Assault on Duryodhana
ततोडर्जुनो<स्त्रवीर्येण निजघ्ने तां वरूथिनीम् । तत्र व्यज्रीकृता: पेतु: शतशो<5थ रथद्विपा:,तब अर्जुन अपने अस्त्र-बलसे उस कौरव-सेनाका विनाश करने लगे। वहाँ सैकड़ों रथ और हाथी अंग-भंग होनेके कारण धराशायी हो गये
tato 'rjuno 'stravīryeṇa nijaghne tāṁ varūthinīm | tatra vyajrīkṛtāḥ petuḥ śataśo 'tha rathadvipāḥ ||
قال سانجيا: ثم إن أرجونا، ببأس أسلحته، حطّم ذلك الصفّ القتالي. وهناك سقطت مئاتُ العربات والفيلة إلى الأرض، وقد تكسّرت أعضاؤها وتبعثرت عُدّتها.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even within a dharma-framed war, the text does not romanticize violence: it highlights the real, large-scale ruin produced by weapon-skill. The ethical tension lies in fulfilling kṣatriya duty while recognizing the heavy cost borne by living beings and armies.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna, using powerful astras, breaks the Kaurava battle formation; as a result, hundreds of chariots and elephants are shattered and collapse on the battlefield.