Shloka 43
अध्याय ६० — कर्णस्य पाञ्चाल-सोमक-निग्रहः
Karna’s Suppression of the Panchala–Somaka Forces
तस्याश्चांश्वतुरो हत्वा सहदेव: प्रतापवान् । सारथिं प्रेषयामास यमस्य सदन प्रति
tasyāścāṃśvaturō hatvā sahadevaḥ pratāpavān | sārathiṃ preṣayāmāsa yamasya sadana prati ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Después de que el valeroso Sahadeva hubo abatido los cuatro caballos de su adversario, envió al auriga de aquel guerrero por el camino hacia la morada de Yama.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stark moral gravity of war: prowess and duty-driven combat (kṣatriya-dharma) can culminate in irreversible loss of life, symbolized by being sent to Yama’s abode—inviting reflection on consequence, restraint, and the cost of violence even when undertaken as duty.
Sañjaya reports that Sahadeva, displaying great valor, first kills the opponent’s four horses and then kills (or effectively dooms) the charioteer as well, describing the charioteer’s death figuratively as being dispatched to Yama’s dwelling.