Shloka 62
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
हयांश्व तेषां निर्भिद्य सारथींश्षु परंतप । शरैश्वैतान् समाकीर्य प्रायाच्छल्यरथं प्रति
hayāṁś ca teṣāṁ nirbhidya sārathīṁś ca parantapa | śaraiś caitān samākīrya prāyāc chalyarathaṁ prati ||
परंतप! फिर श्वेत ने उनके घोड़ों और सारथियों को बेधकर, बाणों की वर्षा से उनके शरीरों को शरों से जड़ दिया; और तत्पश्चात वह शल्य के रथ की ओर लपका।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim mechanics of righteous warfare (kṣatriya-dharma): victory is pursued through tactical disabling of the enemy’s chariot-force (horses and charioteer), yet the narrative also implicitly foregrounds the ethical burden of such necessary brutality in war.
Sañjaya describes Śveta’s assault: he pierces the opposing side’s horses and charioteers, showers the warriors with arrows, and then advances to engage Śalya directly by charging toward Śalya’s chariot.