Shloka 13
अध्याय २६ — शल्यस्य सारथ्य-नियोजनं, कर्णस्य प्रस्थानं, उत्पातदर्शनं च
Chapter 26: Śalya appointed as charioteer; Karṇa’s departure; portents
सौश्रुते: सशिरस्त्राणं शिर: कायादपाहरत् | त्वरितश्नन्द्रदेव॑ च शरैरनिन्ये यमक्षयम्
saśruteḥ saśirastrāṇaṃ śiraḥ kāyād apāharat | tvaritaś candradevaṃ ca śarair aninye yamakṣayam ||
Sañjaya dijo: Le cercenó la cabeza a Śrutajaya—con yelmo y todo—separándola del cuerpo. Luego, sin demora, también envió a Candradeva al reino imperecedero de Yama por medio de sus flechas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim ethical tension of war: martial skill and speed can become instruments of irreversible harm, and death is portrayed as a forced passage to Yama’s realm. It invites reflection on how dharma in battle (kṣatriya-duty) coexists with the tragedy of taking life.
In the midst of combat, a warrior decapitates Śrutajaya, cutting off his head along with the helmet, and then immediately kills Candradeva as well, sending him to Yama’s abode—emphasizing the rapid succession of lethal feats on the battlefield.