Shloka 21
भीमसेनस्य कौरवसुतवधः तथा श्रुतर्वावधः
Slaying of Kaurava princes and the fall of Śrutarvā
दुर्योधनके प्रहारसे अत्यन्त घायल हुए महाथधनुर्धर धृष्टद्युम्न अंकुशसे पीड़ित हुए हाथीके समान कुपित हो उठे और उन्होंने अपने बाणोंद्वारा उसके चारों घोड़ोंको मौतके हवाले कर दिया तथा एक भल्लसे उसके सारथिका भी सिर धड़से काट लिया
sañjaya uvāca | duryodhana-prāhāreṇātyanta-ghāyalo mahā-dhanurdharaḥ dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ aṅkuśa-pīḍita iva hastī kupito babhūva | sa ca svabāṇaiḥ tasya catvāro 'śvān mṛtyu-lokaṃ nināya, ekēna bhallena ca tasya sārathēḥ śiraḥ kāyāt apāharat |
Sañjaya dijo: Herido con dureza por Duryodhana, el gran arquero Dhṛṣṭadyumna—aunque gravemente lesionado—se encendió en ira como un elefante atormentado por el aguijón. Con sus flechas envió a la muerte a los cuatro caballos de Duryodhana, y con un solo dardo de ancha punta cercenó la cabeza del auriga del cuerpo.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pain and provocation can ignite wrath, and how anger in war rapidly intensifies harm. It implicitly warns that even celebrated warriors may commit severe acts when driven by retaliation, illustrating the ethical deterioration that prolonged conflict can produce.
After being badly wounded by Duryodhana’s attack, Dhrishtadyumna becomes furious like a goaded elephant. He shoots down Duryodhana’s four horses and then, with a single broad-headed arrow, beheads the charioteer.