Shloka 30
धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्रतु-प्रवर्तनम् तथा पाण्डवानां निमन्त्रण-प्रतिवचनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Sacrifice Commences and the Pandavas’ Reply to the Invitation
अन्येअस्य युगमच्छिन्दन् ध्वजमन्ये न्यपातयन् | ईषामन्ये हयानन्ये सूतमन्ये न््यपातयन्
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
anye 'sya yugam acchindan dhvajam anye nyapātayan |
īṣām anye hayān anye sūtam anye nyapātayan ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Les uns tranchèrent le joug de son char ; d’autres abattirent et firent tomber l’étendard. Certains brisèrent le timon et les assemblages ; certains tuèrent les chevaux, et d’autres renversèrent le cocher. Ainsi, en mettant le char hors d’usage pièce après pièce, ils réduisirent la puissance du guerrier.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a pragmatic lesson from epic warfare: power depends on supporting structures. By targeting the chariot’s yoke, banner, pole, horses, and driver, opponents dismantle capability systematically—suggesting that in conflict, safeguarding one’s supports (resources, allies, instruments) is as vital as personal valor.
A group of attackers overwhelms a chariot-borne warrior by damaging the chariot components: some cut the yoke, others topple the banner, others break the pole, some kill the horses, and others strike down the charioteer, rendering the chariot ineffective.