Shloka 30
अध्याय ९१ — शैनेयस्य गजानीकभेदनं जलसंधवधश्च
Chapter 91: Sātyaki breaks the elephant array and slays Jalasaṃdha
प्रतोदैश्वापकोटीभिहुड्कारैः साधुवाहितै: । कशापाष्ण्यभिषातैश्न वाग्भिरुग्राभिरेव च,अर्जुनके बाणोंसे पीड़ित हुए आपके पैदल, घुड़सवार और रथी सैनिक चाबुक, धनुषकी कोटि, हुंकार, हाँकनेकी सुन्दर कला, कोड़ोंके प्रहार, चरणोंके आघात तथा भयंकर वाणीद्वारा अपने घोड़ोंको बड़ी उतावलीके साथ हाँकते हुए भाग रहे थे
pratodaiś cāpakoṭībhiḥ huḍkāraiḥ sādhuvāhitaiḥ | kaśāpāṣṇyabhiṣātaiś ca vāgbhir ugrābhir eva ca ||
Sañjaya said: Struck and harried by Arjuna’s arrows, your foot-soldiers, horsemen, and chariot-warriors fled in haste—driving their horses on with goads and the snapping of bows, with loud shouts and practiced urging, with lashes of the whip, with kicks of the heel, and with harsh, fear-driven cries.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and desperation in war can erode restraint, leading warriors to harshness and coercion—even toward their own horses. Ethically, it invites reflection on self-control (dama) and humane conduct amid crisis, showing how adharma can arise not only in killing but also in the treatment of dependents and animals.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna’s arrows have thrown the Kaurava forces into disarray. Infantry, cavalry, and chariot-fighters are retreating rapidly, urging their horses forward with goads, bow-tips, shouts, whips, heel-kicks, and harsh commands.