Shloka 122
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
निकृत्तयन्त्रा निहतेन्द्रकीला ध्वजा महान्तो ध्वजिनीमुखेषु । पदातिसड्घाश्न रथाश्न संख्ये हयाश्न नागाश्व धनंजयेन
nikṛttayantrā nihatendrākīlā dhvajā mahānto dhvajinīmukheṣu | padātisaṅghāś ca rathāś ca saṅkhye hayāś ca nāgāś ca dhanañjayena ||
Sañjaya dit : À l’avant des armées, de grands étendards—dont les cordages avaient été tranchés et dont l’indra-kīla (la cheville centrale) avait été brisé—se déchirèrent et tombèrent. Dans ce choc, sous les flèches de Dhanañjaya, des masses de fantassins, de guerriers en char, de chevaux et d’éléphants furent promptement abattus, s’écroulant à terre lorsque leurs corps défaillirent.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the overwhelming, almost impersonal force of warfare—especially when empowered by superior weapons—where external protections (armor, standards, formations) quickly fail. Ethically, it points to the heavy responsibility of kṣatriya action: martial excellence brings victory, yet it also multiplies suffering, reminding the listener that power in war carries grave moral weight.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) devastating the opposing forces: banners in the vanguard collapse as their fastenings are severed, and infantry, chariot-fighters, horses, and elephants are struck by Arjuna’s arrows and fall on the battlefield.