Shloka 22
अक्षैश्व बहुधा भग्नैरीषादण्डकबन्धुरै: । कुण्जरैर्मथितैश्वापि ध्वजैश्व विनिपातितैः
akṣaiś ca bahudhā bhagnair īṣādaṇḍaka-bandhuraiḥ | kuñjarair mathitaiś cāpi dhvajaiś ca vinipātitaiḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Medan itu berserakan dalam banyak rupa—kereta-kereta dengan gandar patah, kuk dan tiang penarik yang remuk, gajah-gajah yang terhimpit dan tercabik, serta panji-panji yang dijatuhkan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of martial glory: the very emblems of power—chariots, elephants, and banners—are shown broken and cast down. It invites reflection on the impermanence of worldly might and the grave cost of adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the aftermath and intensity of battle: chariot parts are shattered, elephants are mangled, and standards have fallen, conveying a battlefield overwhelmed by ruin and heavy fighting.