Shloka 38
तस्मिन् रथे निहते पाण्डवस्य क्षिप्रं च खड्गे विशिखैरनिकित्ते । अन्ये च संहत्य कुरुप्रवीरा- स्ततो न्यघ्नन् शरवर्षैरुपेत्य
tasmin rathe nihate pāṇḍavasya kṣipraṃ ca khaḍge viśikhair anikitte | anye ca saṃhatya kurupravīrās tato nyaghnan śaravarṣair upetya ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Cuando el carro del Pāṇḍava fue destruido y su espada también fue pronto golpeada por flechas hasta quedar inútil, los demás héroes eminentes de los Kurus, reuniéndose, se acercaron y lo acometieron con una lluvia de dardos.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, tactical advantage often overrides ideals of single combat: once a warrior’s chariot and weapon are neutralized, opponents coordinate to press the attack. It invites reflection on the tension between kṣatriya ideals of fairness and the ruthless realities of battlefield necessity.
After the Pāṇḍava’s chariot is destroyed and his sword is quickly disabled by arrows, the leading Kuru warriors unite, approach, and strike him with a concentrated rain of arrows.