Shloka 11
Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure
Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin
संछिन्नरश्मियोकत्राक्षान् व्यनुकर्षयुगान् रथान् | विध्वस्तसर्वसंनाहान् बाणैश्षक्रेडर्जुनस्तदा,अर्जुनने उस समय अपने बाणोंद्वारा शत्रुओंके रथोंकी बड़ी बुरी दशा कर डाली। उनके त्रिवेणुसमूह काट डाले, घोड़ों और पार्श्वरक्षकोंको मार डाला। उन योद्धाओंके हाथोंसे खिसककर तूणीर गिर गये तथा उनके रथोंके पहिये और ध्वज भी नष्ट हो गये। घोड़ोंकी बागडोर, जोत और रथके धुरे भी काट डाले गये। उनके अनुकर्ष और जूए भी चौपट हो गये थे
saṁchinnarasmiyoktrākṣān vyanukarṣayugān rathān | vidhvastasarvasaṁnāhān bāṇaiḥ śakrer arjunas tadā ||
Sañjaya said: Then Arjuna, with his arrows, reduced the enemy chariots to ruin—cutting their reins and yokes, damaging their axles, and throwing their harness into disarray. Their equipment and defenses were shattered, so that the chariots, no longer properly controlled or protected, became helpless on the battlefield. The scene underscores the grim mechanics of war: victory is won not only by slaying warriors but by disabling the instruments that sustain their fighting power.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a pragmatic ethic of warfare in the epic: combat effectiveness depends on systems—chariots, harness, reins, and armor—not only on individual valor. Disabling an opponent’s means of fighting can decide a battle, while also illustrating the harsh, consequential nature of kṣatriya warfare.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna uses precise archery to cripple enemy chariots by severing reins, yokes, and axles and by ruining their equipment, leaving the opposing forces disorganized and their vehicles unusable.