Shloka 78
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
ततस्तं विरथं दृष्टवा कृप: शारद्वत: प्रभो
tatastam virathaṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛpaḥ śāradvataḥ prabho
Sañjaya dijo: Entonces, al verlo privado de su carro, Kṛpa—hijo de Śāradvata—(dirigiéndose al rey) habló, mientras los giros ásperos de la batalla revelaban a la vez la vulnerabilidad de los guerreros y las implacables exigencias del deber en la guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line highlights the battlefield reality that status and advantage can reverse instantly; a warrior may become chariotless, yet the ethical demand of kṣatriya-duty persists. It also frames a response by a senior figure (Kṛpa), suggesting counsel or reaction shaped by responsibility rather than mere triumphalism.
Sañjaya narrates to the king that Kṛpa notices a key warrior has become viratha (without a chariot). This observation marks a turning point in the combat situation and sets up Kṛpa’s ensuing words or action in response to that vulnerability.