Shloka 23
द्रोणस्य सुपर्णव्यूहः — युधिष्ठिरप्रत्यव्यूहः
Droṇa’s Suparṇa Formation and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Counter-array
ततः संशप्तकव्रातान् साश्वद्विपरथायुधान् । उवाह भगवान् वायु: शुष्कपर्णचयानिव,तदनन्तर भगवान् वायुदेवने घोड़े, हाथी, रथ और आयुधोंसहित संशप्तकसमूहोंको वहाँसे सूखे पत्तोंके ढेरकी भाँति उड़ाना आरम्भ किया
tataḥ saṃśaptakavrātān sāśvadviparathāyudhān | uvāha bhagavān vāyuḥ śuṣkaparṇacayān iva ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors le dieu divin du Vent emporta les bandes des Saṃśaptakas — avec leurs chevaux, leurs éléphants, leurs chars et leurs armes — les dispersant aussi aisément que des tas de feuilles sèches.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of worldly strength in war: even disciplined, well-armed warriors can be scattered instantly when a superior force—here personified as the Wind-god—intervenes. It cautions against arrogance and reminds that outcomes may hinge on forces beyond human control.
Sañjaya describes a violent wind (identified with Vāyu) that lifts and drives away the Saṃśaptaka warriors along with their mounts, chariots, and weapons, comparing their scattering to dry leaves blown into the air.