Shloka 12
Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure
Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin
ते रथास्तत्र विध्वस्ता: परार्ध्या भान्त्यनेकश: । धनिनामिव वेश्मानि हतान्यग्न्यनिलाम्बुभि:,वे बहुमूल्य और बहुसंख्यक रथ, जो वहाँ टूट-फ़ूटकर गिरे पड़े थे, आग, हवा और पानीसे नष्ट हुए धनवानोंके घरोंके समान जान पड़ते थे
te rathās tatra vidhvastāḥ parārdhyā bhānty anekaśaḥ | dhaninām iva veśmāni hatāny agny-anilāmbubhiḥ ||
সঞ্জয়ে ক’লে—তাত বহু অতি-মূল্যবান ৰথ ভাঙি-চুৰি হৈ চাৰিওফালে পৰি আছিল; সেয়া যেন অগ্নি, বতাহ আৰু পানীৰে ধ্বংস হোৱা ধনীৰ গৃহসমূহৰ দৰে দেখাইছিল। ৰণৰ জাঁকজমক তেতিয়াই শোকৰ শিক্ষালৈ ৰূপান্তৰিত হ’ল।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of wealth and human craftsmanship: even the most luxurious chariots become wreckage in war, like rich houses ruined by natural calamities. It implicitly cautions against pride in possessions and highlights the moral cost and leveling force of violence.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the दृश्य of the battlefield: numerous high-value chariots have been smashed and lie scattered. He uses a vivid simile—wealthy mansions destroyed by fire, wind, and flood—to convey the scale of devastation.