Shloka 43
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
शीर्यमाणा यथा दीप्ता गगनाद् वै शतह्ददा । तीन टुकड़ोंमें कटी हुई वह सुवर्णभूषित शक्ति आकाशसे गिरनेवाली चमकीली बिजलीके समान पृथ्वीपर बिखर गयी ।। ४२ $ ।। शक्ति विनिहतां दृष्टवा सौबलं च भयार्दितम्
śīryamāṇā yathā dīptā gaganād vai śatahr̥dā | trīn ṭukṛoṃ meṃ kaṭī huī sā suvarṇabhūṣitā śaktir ākāśāt patantī camkīlī vidyut-samā pṛthivyāṃ bikharaṇe lagī || śakti-vinihatāṃ dṛṣṭvā saubalaṃ ca bhayārditam ||
Sañjaya said: As a blazing meteor seems to split and fall from the sky, so that golden‑ornamented spear—severed into three pieces—scattered upon the earth like a flashing bolt of lightning. Seeing the spear thus shattered, and Śakuni (son of Subala) stricken with fear, the warriors’ minds turned to a grim certainty: even famed weapons and proud stratagems collapse before the force of fate and the consequences of one’s chosen course in war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores impermanence and the moral weight of action in war: even splendid, gold-adorned weapons can be rendered powerless in an instant, and fear overtakes those who rely on force and cunning rather than righteous conduct. It hints that outcomes follow a larger order—karma and fate—beyond mere human calculation.
Sañjaya describes a spear (śakti) breaking into three pieces and scattering to the earth like lightning falling from the sky. On seeing the weapon destroyed, Śakuni (Saubala) becomes frightened, signaling a shift in morale amid the battle’s unfolding events.