Shloka 56
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
बाहुभिश्न सकेयूरैविंचित्रैश्व महारथै: । सुवर्णचित्रै: कवचैर्ध्वजैश्न विनिपातितै:,द्रोणाचार्य और अर्जुनके उस युद्धमें पार्थके बाणोंसे पीड़ित हो कितने ही योद्धा मर गये थे। कितनोंकी केयूरभूषित भुजाएँ कटकर गिरी थीं। विचित्र वेष-भूषावाले महारथी धराशायी हो रहे थे। सुवर्णजटित विचित्र कवच और ध्वजाएँ वहाँ बिखरी पड़ी थीं। इन सब कारणोंसे वह सारी सेना उद्भ्रान्त (भयसे अचेत)-सी हो गयी थी
vaiśampāyana uvāca | bāhubhiś ca keyūraiś ca vicitraiś ca mahārathaiḥ | suvarṇacitraiḥ kavacair dhvajaiś ca vinipātitaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: In that battle, many warriors—struck and tormented by Pārtha’s arrows—fell dead. Arms adorned with keyūra armlets were severed and dropped to the ground. Great chariot-fighters in varied attire and ornamentation were being laid low. Gilded, intricately worked cuirasses and fallen banners lay scattered everywhere. Seeing these signs of ruin, the whole host became bewildered—almost senseless with fear.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the stark consequences of warfare: even the most splendidly equipped heroes fall, and the spectacle of destruction spreads fear through an army. It implicitly contrasts outward grandeur (golden armor, banners, ornaments) with the fragility of life and morale under the force of righteous or superior martial skill.
Vaiśampāyana describes the battlefield where Pārtha’s arrows have cut down many fighters. Severed, ornamented arms, fallen elite warriors, and scattered golden armor and banners create a scene of devastation, causing the surrounding troops to become panic-stricken and disoriented.