Shloka 36
Somadatta–Sātyaki Engagement; Bhīma’s Interventions; Droṇa–Yudhiṣṭhira Astra Exchange
Book 7, Chapter 132
दुर्योधनो5पि राजेन्द्र पाउ्चाल्यस्योत्तमौजस: । जघान चतुरो<स्याश्वानुभौ तौ पार्ष्णिसारथी,राजेन्द्र! तब दुर्योधनने भी पांचालराज उत्तमौजाके चारों घोड़ों और दोनों पार्श्वरक्षकोंको सारथिसहित मार डाला
duryodhano 'pi rājendra pāñcālyasyottamaujasaḥ | jaghāna caturo 'syāśvān ubhau tau pārṣṇisārathī ||
Droṇa dit : « Ô le meilleur des rois, Duryodhana aussi abattit les quatre chevaux d’Uttamaujas, le prince des Pāñcāla ; et il tua encore les deux gardes de flanc avec le cocher. » Ainsi, dans la pression du combat, l’assaut vise non seulement le guerrier, mais l’unité entière du char, révélant une éthique impitoyable, tournée vers le résultat, lorsque la victoire l’emporte sur la retenue.
द्रोण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how warfare can shift from idealized dharma-yuddha to pragmatic destruction of an opponent’s entire chariot-system (horses, guards, charioteer). It invites reflection on the ethical tension between proclaimed rules of combat and the harsh realities of victory-driven violence.
Drona reports that Duryodhana attacked the Pāñcāla hero Uttamaujas by killing his four horses and then killing the two side-guards along with the charioteer, effectively disabling and neutralizing Uttamaujas’ chariot in the ongoing battle.