Shloka 39
अध्याय २६ — शल्यस्य सारथ्य-नियोजनं, कर्णस्य प्रस्थानं, उत्पातदर्शनं च
Chapter 26: Śalya appointed as charioteer; Karṇa’s departure; portents
आतड्कादिव सीदन्ति रथचक्राणि मारिष
āṭaṅkādiva sīdanti rathacakrāṇi māriṣa
Dijo Sañjaya: «Oh venerable, las ruedas de los carros se están hundiendo, como si fuera por un pánico repentino». En la sombría presión de la batalla, hasta los instrumentos de guerra flaquean—mostrando cómo el miedo, la confusión y el peso aplastante del conflicto minan la fuerza y el orden.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and turmoil can destabilize even powerful systems—here symbolized by chariot-wheels—implying that inner disturbance and the chaos of adharma-driven conflict erode effectiveness and control.
Sañjaya reports battlefield conditions to the listener, describing chariot-wheels sinking as though caused by panic—an image of confusion and strain amid the fighting in the Karṇa Parva.