Shloka 576
Cakravyūha-saṃkalpaḥ, Saṃśaptaka-āhvānaṃ, Saubhadra-vikrīḍitam
Drona Parva, Adhyāya 32
रथशक्ती: समुत्क्षिप्प भृशं सिंहा इवानदन् । अपने धनुष कट जानेपर विषहीन भुजंगमोंके समान उन शूरवीरोंने रथ-शक्तियोंको ऊपर उठाकर सिंहोंके समान भयंकर गर्जना की
sañjaya uvāca | rathaśaktīḥ samutkṣipya bhṛśaṃ siṃhā ivānadān |
قال سانجيا: لما قُطِعت أقواسهم، رفع أولئك الأبطال—كالحيات التي نُزعت أنيابها فغدت بلا سمّ—رماحَ الرَّثَشَكْتي (ratha-śakti، رماح قتال العربة) وأطلقوا زئيرًا رهيبًا كزئير الأسود.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under adversity: when a primary support (the bow) is lost, a warrior adapts without surrendering courage. In the Mahābhārata’s war-ethic, this reflects kṣatriya resolve—continuing one’s duty in battle by taking up an available means, while the lion-roar symbolizes morale and intimidation as strategic and psychological force.
Sañjaya describes a moment in the fighting where certain warriors have had their bows cut. Instead of retreating, they seize ratha-śaktis (javelins used in chariot combat), raise them aloft, and roar like lions—signaling readiness to strike again despite the loss of their usual weapon.