Shloka 24
पश्य ध्वजांक्ष द्रवतो विशोक नागान् हयान् पत्तिसंघांश्व संख्ये रथान् विकीर्णान् शरशक्तिताडितान् पश्यस्वैतान् रथिनश्वैव सूत,विशोक! युद्धस्थलमें भागते हुए रथोंकी ध्वजाओं, हाथियों, घोड़ों और पैदलसमूहोंको देखो। सूत! बाणों और शक्तियोंसे प्रताड़ित होकर बिखरे पड़े हुए इन रथों और रथियोंपर भी दृष्टिपात करो
paśya dhvajāṃś ca dravato viśoka nāgān hayān pattisaṃghāṃś ca saṃkhye | rathān vikīrṇān śaraśakti-tāḍitān paśyasvaitān rathinaś caiva sūta viśoka ||
Bhīmasena said: “Look, Viśoka—see in this battle the standards of fleeing chariots, the elephants, the horses, and the masses of foot-soldiers. O charioteer, look also at these chariots and chariot-warriors lying scattered, struck and battered by arrows and spears.”
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the stark consequences of war: formations break, warriors flee, and even elite chariot-fighters are reduced to scattered wreckage. It functions as a moral and psychological reminder that martial pride must face the reality of suffering and collapse on the battlefield.
Bhīma addresses Viśoka and the charioteer, directing their attention to the battlefield scene—fleeing chariots with their banners, elephants, horses, and infantry, and chariots/chariot-warriors lying dispersed after being struck by arrows and spears—highlighting the momentum and devastation of the ongoing combat.