Shloka 29
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
स हताश्वादवप्लुत्य रथाद् वै रथिनां वर:,रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ शत्रुसंतापी शिखण्डी घोड़ोंके मारे जानेपर उस रथसे कूद पड़ा और बहुत तीखी एवं चमकीली तलवार और ढाल हाथमें लेकर कुपित हुए श्येन पक्षीकी भाँति सब ओर विचरने लगा
sa hatāśvād avaplutya rathād vai rathināṁ varaḥ | rathiyoṁ meṁ śreṣṭhaḥ śatrusaṁtāpī śikhaṇḍī ghoṛoṁ ke māre jāne par us rath se kūd paṛā aura bahut tīkṣṇī evaṁ camakīlī talavār aura ḍhāl hātha meṁ lekar kupita hue śyena pakṣī kī bhānti sab ora vicarne lagā |
Sañjaya said: When his horses had been slain, Śikhaṇḍin—foremost among chariot-warriors and a tormentor of foes—leapt down from his chariot. Taking in hand a very sharp, gleaming sword and a shield, he moved about on every side like an enraged hawk, intent on continuing the fight despite the loss of his mount.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in a warrior’s duty: even when resources and advantage are lost (the horses and chariot), one continues with courage and presence of mind, adapting to circumstances rather than yielding to despair.
Śikhaṇḍin’s chariot horses are killed, so he jumps down, takes up sword and shield, and moves around the battlefield like an angry hawk, continuing to engage enemies on foot.