Shloka 37
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
ते वर्म भित्त्वा तस्याशु विविशुर्धरणीतलम्
sañjaya uvāca |
te varma bhittvā tasyāśu viviśur dharaṇītalam |
Sañjaya sprach: Nachdem sie seine Rüstung zerschmettert hatten, sanken jene Pfeile rasch in die Erde. Zugleich versetzte Ghaṭotkaca den Wagenlenkern von Viviṁśati und Aśvatthāman einen schweren Schlag; beide ließen die Zügel fahren und stürzten auf die Wagenplattform.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of martial advantage: even a warrior’s effectiveness depends on supports like armour and charioteers. In dharma terms, it intensifies the ethical weight of war—actions aimed at victory can swiftly incapacitate not only principal fighters but also those who serve them, reminding the listener of war’s broad and often indiscriminate harm.
Arrows pierce and break through a warrior’s armour and sink into the ground. Simultaneously, Ghaṭotkaca delivers a powerful strike against the charioteers of Vivimśati and Aśvatthāmā, causing them to drop the reins and fall onto the chariot-seat, momentarily disrupting control of the horses and the chariot.