Shloka 21
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Anxiety and Bhīṣma’s Theological Explanation of Pāṇḍava Invincibility
Book 6, Chapter 61
गजारोहा हयारोहान् पातयाज्चक्रिरे तदा । हयारोहा गजस्थांश्व तदद्भुतमिवा भवत्,हाथीसवार घुड़सवारोंको और घुड़सवार हाथी-सवारोंको युद्धस्थलमें गिरा देते थे। ये घटनाएँ आश्षर्यजनक-सी प्रतीत होती थीं
sañjaya uvāca | gajārohā hayārohān pātayāñ cakrire tadā | hayārohā gajasthāṃś ca tad adbhutam ivābhavat |
Sañjaya berkata: Saat itu para penunggang gajah menjatuhkan para penunggang kuda, dan para penunggang kuda pun merobohkan para kesatria yang berada di atas gajah; pemandangan itu seakan-akan menakjubkan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrifying reciprocity of warfare: prowess and vulnerability coexist, and even impressive feats can appear 'wondrous' while remaining rooted in destruction. It implicitly cautions that admiration of martial spectacle should not obscure the human cost and peril inherent in battle.
Sañjaya describes a moment in the Kurukṣetra war where elephant-mounted warriors knock down horsemen, and horsemen counter by bringing down those on elephants. The rapid reversals and skillful strikes make the scene seem astonishing.