Shloka 21
भीष्मवधाय प्रयाणम् — The Advance toward Bhīṣma and Counter-Engagements
अभिमन्युर्विकर्णस्य हयान् हत्वा महाहवे | अथीैनं पज्चविंशत्या क्षुद्रकाणां समार्पयत्,अभिमन्युने उस महायुद्धमें विकर्णके घोड़ोंको मारकर स्वयं विकर्णको भी पचीस बाणोंसे घायल कर दिया
abhimanyur vikarṇasya hayān hatvā mahāhave | athainaṃ pañcaviṃśatyā kṣudrakāṇāṃ samārpayat ||
Sañjaya sprach: In jener großen Schlacht tötete Abhimanyu Vikarnas Pferde; dann traf er Vikarna selbst mit fünfundzwanzig schnellen Pfeilen und verwundete ihn.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh but structured ethic of kṣatriya warfare: decisive action, tactical disabling of the enemy’s chariot team, and direct engagement. It reflects how duty in war can demand swift, forceful measures even when they entail severe violence.
Sañjaya reports that Abhimanyu, in the midst of a major clash, first kills Vikarna’s horses and then wounds Vikarna with twenty-five fast arrows, asserting dominance in that exchange of chariot combat.