Shloka 28
अश्वत्थामा ततः क्रुद्धो निमेषार्धाच्छिखण्डिन: । ध्वजं सूतमथो राजंस्तुरगानायुधानि च
aśvatthāmā tataḥ kruddho nimeṣārdhāc chikhaṇḍinaḥ | dhvajaṃ sūtam atho rājan turagān āyudhāni ca
तब क्रुद्ध हुए अश्वत्थामा ने, हे राजन्, आधे निमेष में ही शिखण्डी का ध्वज, सारथि, घोड़े और उसके आयुध भी काट गिराए।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger (krodha) in war drives swift, comprehensive destruction—targeting not only the opponent but also the enabling supports (banner, charioteer, horses, weapons). Ethically, it points to the peril of wrath: it accelerates action and amplifies harm, challenging the restraint expected even within kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Aśvatthāmā, enraged, rapidly disables Śikhaṇḍin’s fighting capacity by striking down his chariot’s banner, his charioteer, his horses, and his weapons—an instantaneous battlefield dismantling of the opponent’s chariot-unit.