Shloka 22
Adhyāya 107 — बहुयुद्धप्रकरणम्
Multiple Defensive Engagements to Protect Bhīṣma
हताश्वात् तु रथात् तूर्ण सोडवप्लुत्य महारथ:
hatāśvāt tu rathāt tūrṇaṃ soḍavaplutya mahārathaḥ
Sañjaya sprach: Da nun der große Krieger sah, dass die Pferde seines Streitwagens erschlagen waren, sprang er in einem einzigen Satz schnell vom Wagen herab—ein Bild unbeugsamer Entschlossenheit auf dem Schlachtfeld trotz jähen Verlustes.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadiness and prompt action under adversity: even when a key support (the horses) is lost, the warrior does not collapse into despair but responds decisively—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma in war.
In Sañjaya’s battlefield report, a great warrior’s chariot has become disabled because its horses are killed; he immediately jumps down from the chariot, preparing to continue the fight on foot or seek another conveyance.