Shloka 32
दण्डधारवधः | The Slaying of Daṇḍadhāra
स तस्य गात्रावरणं भित्त्वा हृदयमेव च । जगाम धरणीं तूर्ण महोरग इवाशयम्,वह तोमर उसके कवच और वक्ष:स्थलको विदीर्ण करता हुआ तुरंत धरतीमें समा गया, जैसे कोई बड़ा सर्प बिलमें घुस गया हो
sa tasya gātrāvaraṇaṃ bhittvā hṛdayam eva ca | jagāma dharaṇīṃ tūrṇaṃ mahoraga ivāśayam ||
Dijo Sañjaya: La lanza, tras atravesar su coraza y aun su corazón, se hundió velozmente en la tierra, como una gran serpiente que se desliza a su madriguera. La imagen subraya la implacable finalidad de la violencia en el campo de batalla: un solo golpe certero basta para acabar una vida, y la tierra recibe al caído y al instrumento de muerte sin pausa ni sentimiento.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stark impermanence of embodied life in war: protection and strength can be undone in an instant. Ethically, it points to the grave consequences of martial action—once violence is unleashed, its results are swift and irreversible, reminding the listener of responsibility within kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya describes a tomara (spear/javelin) that pierces a warrior’s armour and heart and then quickly disappears into the ground, compared to a large serpent entering its burrow—an image emphasizing speed, penetration, and finality.