Shloka 66
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
पाण्डवोंके चलाये हुए पैने बाणोंसे व्याप्त हो कौरवसेनाके मुख्य-मुख्य वीर मारे गये। वह सेना नष्ट होने लगी और चारों ओरसे उसकी गति अवरुद्ध हो गयी ।। कौरव्यवध्यत चमू: पाण्डुपुत्रैर्महारथै: । तथैव पाण्डवं सैन्यं शरै राजन् समन्ततः
kauravyavadhyata camūḥ pāṇḍuputrair mahārathaiḥ | tathaiva pāṇḍavaṃ sainyaṃ śarai rājān samantataḥ ||
Pasukan Kaurawa ditebas habis oleh para putra Pandu, para maharathi; namun, wahai raja, bala Pandawa pun demikian pula—di segala penjuru—terkepung dan dihantam hujan anak panah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the tragic symmetry of war: even when fought by renowned heroes, violence spreads beyond intention and consumes both sides. It implicitly warns that adharma-driven conflict culminates in collective ruin, where prowess cannot prevent the moral and human cost.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava host is being slaughtered by the Pāṇḍava princes, while the Pāṇḍava army is simultaneously struck from all directions by arrows. The battlefield becomes congested and immobilized as casualties mount and movement is obstructed on every side.