Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 33
शल्यवधे कौरवसेनाभङ्गः, भीमस्य गदायुद्धं, दुर्योधनस्य समाह्वानम्
Rout after Śalya’s fall; Bhīma’s mace engagement; Duryodhana’s rally
भग्नचक्रान् रथान् केचिदहरंस्तुरगा रणे
bhagnacakrān rathān kecid aharaṃs turagā raṇe
Sañjaya sprach: Mitten im Kampf zerrten manche Pferde Wagen fort, deren Räder zerschmettert waren—ein Bild der unerbittlichen Gewalt des Krieges, in dem selbst die Werkzeuge des Gefechts zusammenbrechen und im Chaos fortgeschleppt werden.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of power and equipment in war: even formidable chariots become useless when damaged, highlighting the instability of worldly strength and the harsh cost of conflict.
Sañjaya describes a battlefield scene where some horses pull away chariots whose wheels have been smashed, conveying the disorder and devastation as the fighting continues.