Shloka 39
अध्याय २६ — शल्यस्य सारथ्य-नियोजनं, कर्णस्य प्रस्थानं, उत्पातदर्शनं च
Chapter 26: Śalya appointed as charioteer; Karṇa’s departure; portents
आतड्कादिव सीदन्ति रथचक्राणि मारिष
āṭaṅkādiva sīdanti rathacakrāṇi māriṣa
Sañjaya sagte: „O Ehrwürdiger, die Räder der Streitwagen sinken ein, als käme es von plötzlicher Panik.“ Im düsteren Gedränge der Schlacht wanken selbst die Werkzeuge des Krieges—ein Hinweis darauf, wie Furcht, Verwirrung und die erdrückende Last des Kampfes Kraft und Ordnung untergraben.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and turmoil can destabilize even powerful systems—here symbolized by chariot-wheels—implying that inner disturbance and the chaos of adharma-driven conflict erode effectiveness and control.
Sañjaya reports battlefield conditions to the listener, describing chariot-wheels sinking as though caused by panic—an image of confusion and strain amid the fighting in the Karṇa Parva.