Shloka 32
Adhyāya 74 (Book 6, Bhīṣma-parva): Bhīma–Duryodhana re-engagement and afternoon escalation
भग्नचक्राक्षनीडाश्ष निपातितमहा ध्वजा: । हताश्वाः पृथिवीं जग्मुस्तत्र तत्र महारथा:,कितने ही महारथियोंके रथोंके पहिये, धुरे और भीतरकी बैठकें टूट-फूटकर नष्ट हो गयीं, बड़ी-बड़ी ध्वजाएँ खण्डित होकर गिर गयीं, घोड़े मार दिये गये और वे महारथी स्वयं भी मारे जाकर धरतीपर जहाँ-तहाँ गिर पड़े
sañjaya uvāca | bhagnacakrākṣanīḍāś ca nipātita-mahādhvajāḥ | hatāśvāḥ pṛthivīṃ jagmus tatra tatra mahārathāḥ ||
বহু মহাৰথীৰ ৰথৰ চকা, ধুৰা আৰু আসন ভাঙি নষ্ট হ’ল; তেওঁলোকৰ উচ্চ ধ্বজা কাটি পৰিল। ঘোঁৰা নিহত হ’ল, আৰু সেই মহাৰথীসকলেও যুঁজত আঘাত পাই তাত-তাত মাটিত ঢলি পৰিল।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of martial glory: chariots, banners, and even renowned warriors are quickly reduced to ruin. Ethically, it points to the heavy cost of war and the impermanence of external power, urging reflection on the consequences of violence even when performed under the banner of duty.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield aftermath: chariots are wrecked (wheels and axles broken), standards have fallen, horses are killed, and the great warriors lie scattered on the ground—an image of widespread devastation during the Kurukṣetra war.