Shloka 26
द्विसाहस््रा: पातिता युद्धशौण्डा नानादेश्या: सुभृता: सत्यसंधा: । एकेन संख्ये नकुलेन कृत्ता जयेप्सुनानुत्तमचन्दनाड़्ा:
dvisāhasrāḥ pātitā yuddhaśauṇḍā nānādeśyāḥ subhṛtāḥ satyasaṃdhāḥ | ekena saṅkhye nakulena kṛttā jayepsunānuttamacandanāḍyāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Two thousand battle-hardened warriors—drawn from many regions, well-paid and well-maintained, and bound by their pledged word—were struck down in the press of combat by Nakula alone. Though eager for victory and adorned with the finest sandalwood, they fell before his prowess.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how disciplined prowess and steadfast resolve in one warrior can rout even a numerically strong, well-equipped force; it also underscores the harsh ethical reality of war, where vows, resources, and confidence do not guarantee survival.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Nakula, fighting alone in the thick of battle, cut down two thousand enemy warriors who were experienced, drawn from many regions, and well-provisioned, even as they sought victory.