Shloka 20
रथाश्चनागहीनास्तु पादातास्तव मारिष | पजञ्चविंशतिसाहसारा युद्धायैव व्यवस्थिता:,माननीय नरेश! उस समय रथों, घोड़ों और हाथियोंसे रहित आपके केवल पचीस हजार पैदल सैनिक ही युद्धके लिये डटे हुए थे
rathāś ca nāga-hīnāstu pādātās tava māriṣa | pañca-viṃśati-sāhasrā yuddhāyaiva vyavasthitāḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: «Oh venerable señor, en aquel momento tus soldados de infantería—privados de carros y elefantes—se mantuvieron firmes, veinticinco mil en número, dispuestos únicamente para la batalla».
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when deprived of key resources (chariots and elephants), the narrative highlights steadfastness and disciplined readiness in the face of crisis—an aspect of kṣatriya resolve and the grim ethic of wartime duty.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that only the Kaurava infantry remained in position—twenty-five thousand foot-soldiers—standing prepared for battle despite the absence of major war assets like chariots and elephants.