Shloka 23
भीमसेनस्य गदायुद्ध-प्रभावः
The Battlefield Impact of Bhīmasena’s Mace Combat
सादिता रथनागाश्ष हताश्वा रथिनो रणे । विप्रद्रुतरथा: केचिद् दृश्यन्ते रथयूथपा:
sāditā rathanāgāś ca hatāśvā rathino raṇe | vipradrutarathāḥ kecid dṛśyante rathayūthapāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: On that battlefield, many chariots were shattered and many war-elephants were brought down. Many chariot-warriors had their horses slain, and some leaders of chariot-squadrons were seen fleeing with their chariots in disorder.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the destabilizing power of war: even disciplined formations collapse into fear and flight. Implicitly, it invites reflection on dharma—how righteous conduct is tested when destruction, panic, and the instinct to survive overwhelm order and duty.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the immediate scene of combat: chariots are smashed, elephants are felled, horses of chariot-warriors are killed, and some chariot-unit commanders are seen retreating in confusion, indicating a rout in parts of the army.