Shloka 21
हताश्वा हतसूताश्च निश्चेष्टा रथिनो हता:
hatāśvā hatasūtāś ca niśceṣṭā rathino hatāḥ
Sañjaya sprach: Die Pferde waren erschlagen, die Wagenlenker getötet, und die Wagenkrieger—niedergestreckt—lagen reglos da.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly power collapses in war: when the supporting elements of a warrior’s role (horses and charioteer) are destroyed, even renowned fighters become helpless. Ethically, it points to the dehumanizing momentum of battle and the heavy cost borne by all ranks, not only the famed heroes.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the battlefield aftermath: chariots are disabled because horses and charioteers have been killed, and the chariot-warriors themselves lie slain or inert, indicating a severe rout or a devastating phase of combat.