Shloka 22
तस्य शब्दो महानासीत् परानभिमुखस्य वै । गरुडस्येव पतत:ः पन्नगार्थे यथा पुरा
tasya śabdo mahān āsīt parān-abhimukhasya vai | garuḍasyeva patataḥ pannagārthe yathā purā ||
Sañjaya said: As he turned to face the enemy, a tremendous roar arose from his chariot—like the rush of Garuḍa’s wings when, in ancient times, he swooped down to seize a serpent. The simile heightens the sense of irresistible momentum and predatory certainty that accompanies the warrior’s advance in battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily poetic narration rather than direct moral instruction: it uses a powerful simile (Garuḍa swooping for a serpent) to convey the overwhelming force and inevitability of a warrior’s forward drive when he turns to confront foes—highlighting the Mahābhārata’s recurring reflection on how martial resolve can appear awe-inspiring even within a tragic war.
Sañjaya describes a combatant (implied from context) turning to face the enemy; at that moment the chariot produces a great, thunderous sound, compared to the beating wings of Garuḍa as he dives to seize a serpent.