Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
ते निकृत्तमहाचापास्त्वरमाणा महारथा: । रथशक्ती: परामृश्य विनेदुर्भरवान् रवान्,अपने विशाल धनुषोंके कट जानेपर उन सातों महारथियोंने बड़ी उतावलीके साथ रथ- शक्तियाँ उठा लीं और भयंकर गर्जना की
te nikṛttamahācāpās tvaramāṇā mahārathāḥ | rathaśaktīḥ parāmṛśya vinedur bharavān ravān |
Sañjaya dit : Quand leurs grands arcs eurent été tranchés, ces puissants guerriers de char, se hâtant aussitôt, saisirent leurs lances de char et poussèrent des rugissements terribles et lourds.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness: even when a primary weapon is lost, a warrior does not collapse into despair but adapts immediately, taking up another means to continue the duty of battle.
After their large bows are cut, the elite chariot-warriors quickly switch weapons, grabbing chariot-spears (śakti) and roaring loudly, indicating renewed aggression and readiness to strike.