Mahabharata 3.20.30 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 20, Shloka 30
Śālva–Pradyumna Yuddha: Sārathya-kauśala, Astra-pratikāra, Daiva-niyati
Chapter 20
ते निकृत्तभुजस्कन्धा: कबन्धाकृतिदर्शना: । नदन्तो भैरवान् नादान् निपतन्ति सम दानवा:,कंधे और भुजाओंके कट जानेसे कबन्धकी आकृतिमें दिखायी देनेवाले वे दानव भयंकर नाद करते हुए समुद्रमें गिरने लगे
te nikṛttabhuja-skandhāḥ kabandhākṛti-darśanāḥ | nadanto bhairavān nādān nipatanti samudre dānavāḥ ||
With their shoulders and arms hewn away, those Dānavas—now appearing like headless trunks (kabandhas)—roared with terrifying cries and plunged down into the sea. The scene underscores the swift, inevitable consequence of violent aggression when met by a superior force: pride collapses into ruin, and destructive intent returns upon its own makers.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unchecked hostility and adharma-driven aggression culminate in self-destruction when confronted by rightful, superior power; the verse highlights the moral logic of consequence (karma-phala) within epic warfare.
After being struck so that their arms and shoulders are severed, the Dānavas appear like kabandhas (headless trunks), roar in terror, and plunge into the sea.
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