Shloka 37
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
ते वर्म भित्त्वा तस्याशु विविशुर्धरणीतलम्,वे नाराच उसके कवचको कछिज्न-भिन्न करके शीघ्र ही धरतीमें समा गये। साथ ही घटोत्कचने विविंशति और अभश्व॒त्थामाके सारथियोंपर गहरा आघात किया। वे दोनों घोड़ोंकी बागडोर छोड़कर रथकी बैठकमें गिर पड़े
sañjaya uvāca |
te varma bhittvā tasyāśu viviśur dharaṇītalam |
Sañjaya said: Having shattered his armour, those arrows quickly sank into the earth. At the same time, Ghaṭotkaca struck a heavy blow upon the charioteers of Vivimśati and Aśvatthāmā; both men let go of the reins and collapsed onto the chariot-seat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of martial advantage: even a warrior’s effectiveness depends on supports like armour and charioteers. In dharma terms, it intensifies the ethical weight of war—actions aimed at victory can swiftly incapacitate not only principal fighters but also those who serve them, reminding the listener of war’s broad and often indiscriminate harm.
Arrows pierce and break through a warrior’s armour and sink into the ground. Simultaneously, Ghaṭotkaca delivers a powerful strike against the charioteers of Vivimśati and Aśvatthāmā, causing them to drop the reins and fall onto the chariot-seat, momentarily disrupting control of the horses and the chariot.