Shloka 51
गजाश्व रथसड्घाश्न बहुधा रथिभिहता: । रथाश्ष निहता नागैहयाश्रैव पदातिभि:,रथियोंद्वारा बहुत-से हाथी तथा रथसमूह नष्ट कर दिये गये। हाथियोंने कितने ही रथ चौपट कर दिये और पैदल सिपाहियोंने सवारोंसहित बहुत-से घोड़े मार गिराये
gajāśva-ratha-saṅghāś ca bahudhā rathibhir hatāḥ | rathāś ca nihatā nāgair hayāś caiva padātibhiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: In many ways the masses of elephants, horses, and chariot-formations were cut down by the chariot-warriors. Chariots were smashed by elephants, and foot-soldiers brought down many horses along with their mounted riders—showing how, in the fury of battle, every arm of the army became both hunter and prey.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the brutal reciprocity of war: each military arm—chariots, elephants, cavalry, infantry—can dominate another, yet all are vulnerable. It implicitly highlights the fragility of life and the heavy moral cost that accompanies kṣatriya warfare.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the chaotic clash on the battlefield: chariot-warriors cut down formations of elephants, horses, and chariots; elephants crush chariots; and infantry kill horses together with their riders.