Shloka 22
अक्षैश्व बहुधा भग्नैरीषादण्डकबन्धुरै: । कुण्जरैर्मथितैश्वापि ध्वजैश्व विनिपातितैः
akṣaiś ca bahudhā bhagnair īṣādaṇḍaka-bandhuraiḥ | kuñjarair mathitaiś cāpi dhvajaiś ca vinipātitaiḥ ||
সঞ্জয় বললেন—যুদ্ধক্ষেত্র নানা ভাবে ছেয়ে ছিল—ভাঙা অক্ষযুক্ত রথে, ভগ্ন জোয়াল ও দণ্ড-বন্ধনীতে, মথিত-চূর্ণ হাতিতে, আর পতিত ধ্বজা-নিশানে।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of martial glory: the very emblems of power—chariots, elephants, and banners—are shown broken and cast down. It invites reflection on the impermanence of worldly might and the grave cost of adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the aftermath and intensity of battle: chariot parts are shattered, elephants are mangled, and standards have fallen, conveying a battlefield overwhelmed by ruin and heavy fighting.