Shloka 53
Dvaipāyana-hrade Duryodhanasya Māyā — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharmoktiḥ (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 30)
हयाश्च सर्वे नागाश्न शतशश्न पदातय: । भारत! उस समय अर्जुन
hayāś ca sarve nāgāś ca śataśaś ca padātayaḥ | bhārata! tadā arjuna-bhīmasena-mādrīkumāra-pāṇḍuputra-nakula-sahadevāḥ, pāñcālarājakumāra-dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ, aparājito vīraḥ śikhaṇḍī, uttamaujāḥ, yudhāmanyuḥ, mahārathī sātyakiḥ, draupadeyāḥ pañca putrāḥ, tathā pāñcāleṣu ye jīvita-avaśiṣṭāḥ te vīrāḥ duryodhanaṃ grahītuṃ icchayā sva-vāhanānāṃ śrāntatve 'pi mahā-utkaṇṭhayā rājānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiraṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ anvagacchan | teṣāṃ saha sarve 'śvārūḍhāḥ gajārūḍhāś ca śataśaḥ padātayaś ca āsan ||
Sañjaya said: Then all the horsemen and elephant-riders, along with hundreds of foot-soldiers, moved on. O Bhārata, at that time Arjuna and Bhīmasena, the twin sons of Mādrī—Nakula and Sahadeva—Dhṛṣṭadyumna the Pāñcāla prince, the unconquered hero Śikhaṇḍī, Uttamaujā, Yudhāmanyu, the great chariot-warrior Sātyaki, the five sons of Draupadī, and whatever Pāñcālas still remained alive—though their mounts were exhausted—followed close behind King Yudhiṣṭhira with urgent haste, intent on seizing Duryodhana.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores perseverance in fulfilling a grim duty: even when exhausted, the warriors press on to end the war by apprehending its chief instigator. Ethically, it also points to the need for restraint—pursuit should serve restoration of order (dharma), not uncontrolled vengeance.
After the day’s devastation, Yudhiṣṭhira advances to capture Duryodhana. Arjuna, Bhīma, the twins, key Pāñcāla allies, Sātyaki, Draupadī’s sons, and surviving Pāñcālas follow urgently, accompanied by cavalry, elephant troops, and infantry, despite their mounts being worn out.