Shloka 41
Chapter 30: Formation Disruption, Competing War-Cries, and Nīla’s Fall
Droṇa-parva
हतैर्मनुष्यर्द्धिरदेश्व सर्वतः शराभिसूष्टे श्न हयैनिपातितै: । तदा श्वगोमायुबलाभिनादितं विचित्रमायोधशिरो बभूव तत्,बाणोंके आघातसे घायल होकर ढेर-के-ढेर मनुष्य मरे पड़े थे। चारों ओर हाथी धराशायी हो रहे थे और बहुत-से घोड़े मार डाले गये थे। उस समय कुत्तों और गीदड़ोंके समूहसे कोलाहलपूर्ण होकर वह युद्धका प्रमुख भाग अद्भुत प्रतीत हो रहा था
sañjaya uvāca | hatair manuṣyair dhiradeśva sarvataḥ śarābhisūṣṭeṣv aśva-hayaiḥ nipātitaiḥ | tadā śva-gomāyu-balābhināditaṃ vicitram āyodhaśiro babhūva tat ||
Sañjaya berkata: Di segala penjuru, timbunan manusia tergeletak tewas dihantam hujan anak panah; gajah-gajah roboh di setiap sisi, dan banyak kuda telah dijatuhkan. Saat itu, bagian terdepan medan perang tampak ganjil dan mengerikan, riuh oleh lolongan kawanan anjing dan serigala hutan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the stark moral and existential reality of war: beyond strategy and heroism lies mass death, the collapse of great creatures, and the desecrating aftermath symbolized by dogs and jackals. It invites reflection on the heavy price paid when dharma is pursued through violent means, even within the framework of kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya describes a section of the battlefield where many men have been killed by arrows, elephants are falling, and horses are being slain. The area is filled with the howling and noise of packs of dogs and jackals, making the main battle-front appear uncanny and dreadful.