Shloka 19
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सात्यकि-अलम्बुसयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue; Account of Sātyaki vs Alambusa
उरश्छदैर्विचित्रैश्व व्यशो भन््त तुरज्भमा: | गतसत्त्वा महीं प्राप्य प्रमृष्टा दीर्घबाहुना,कितने ही घोड़े सुनहरी रस्सियों तथा मोतीकी जालियोंसे विभूषित विचित्र आच्छादन वस्त्रोंस विशेष शोभायमान हो रहे थे। महाबाहु सात्यकिके द्वारा रौंदे जाकर वे धरतीपर पड़े थे और उनके प्राण-परखेरू उड़ गये
uraśchadair vicitraiś ca vyaśobhanta turagāḥ | gata-sattvā mahīṁ prāpya pramṛṣṭā dīrgha-bāhunā ||
Sañjaya said: The horses, adorned with variegated breast-guards and splendid coverings, had been making a brilliant display. But, trampled down by the long-armed Sātyaki, they fell upon the earth, their life-breath departed—an image of war’s ruthless momentum, where even the finest ornaments cannot shield living beings from the consequences of violent conflict.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of life amid war: external splendor and protection (ornate caparisons) cannot ultimately prevent death when violence escalates. It implicitly cautions against attachment to display and reminds the listener of the grave cost borne by all beings in conflict.
Sañjaya describes horses that had been richly adorned and looked magnificent, but in the press of battle they are trampled by the warrior Sātyaki and lie dead on the ground.