Shloka 22
Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः
कथं त्वयि च कर्णे च कृपे शल्ये च जीवति । अश्वत्थाम्नि च कौरव्य निधनं सैन्धवो5गमत्,कुरुनन्दन! तुम और कर्ण तो नहीं मर गये थे, कृपाचार्य, शल्य और अश्वत्थामा तो जीवित थे; फिर तुम्हारे रहते सिंधुराजकी मृत्यु क्यों हुई?
kathaṁ tvayi ca karṇe ca kṛpe śalye ca jīvati | aśvatthāmni ca kauravya nidhanaṁ saindhavo ’gamat, kurunandana ||
Sañjaya dit : «Comment le roi du Sindhu a-t-il trouvé la mort, ô joie des Kuru, alors que toi et Karṇa étiez encore en vie, alors que Kṛpa et Śalya vivaient, et qu’Aśvatthāman aussi respirait encore ? Avec de tels guerriers présents, pourquoi Jayadratha est-il tombé ?»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of guardianship in war: the presence of renowned protectors does not guarantee protection when strategy, circumstance, and destiny converge. It prompts reflection on accountability—how failure can occur even amid strength—and on the limits of mere power without timely, coordinated action.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra and expresses astonishment that Jayadratha (the Sindhu king) was slain even though major Kaurava champions—Duryodhana, Karṇa, Kṛpa, Śalya, and Aśvatthāman—were still alive and ostensibly defending him. The question sets up an explanation of how Jayadratha’s death became possible despite heavy protection.