Shloka 28
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
अश्वत्थामा ततः क्रुद्धो निमेषार्धाच्छिखण्डिन: । ध्वजं सूतमथो राजंस्तुरगानायुधानि च
aśvatthāmā tataḥ kruddho nimeṣārdhāc chikhaṇḍinaḥ | dhvajaṃ sūtam atho rājan turagān āyudhāni ca
Sañjaya dit : Alors Aśvatthāman, enflammé de colère, en moins d’un demi-instant abattit l’étendard de Śikhaṇḍin, son cocher et—ô Roi—ses chevaux et ses armes aussi. Le vers souligne la vitesse implacable et la brutalité totale avec lesquelles la fureur, au combat, ne cherche pas seulement à blesser l’adversaire, mais à démanteler tout ce qui le soutient dans la lutte.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger (krodha) in war drives swift, comprehensive destruction—targeting not only the opponent but also the enabling supports (banner, charioteer, horses, weapons). Ethically, it points to the peril of wrath: it accelerates action and amplifies harm, challenging the restraint expected even within kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Aśvatthāmā, enraged, rapidly disables Śikhaṇḍin’s fighting capacity by striking down his chariot’s banner, his charioteer, his horses, and his weapons—an instantaneous battlefield dismantling of the opponent’s chariot-unit.