Shloka 6
भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103
सरथान् रथिनस्तूर्ण हयांश्नैव ससादिन: । गजारोहांश्व सगजान् दारयामास फाल्गुनि:,अर्जुनकुमारने रथोंसहित रथियों, सवारोंसहित घोड़ों और हाथियोंसहित गजारोहियोंको तुरंत ही विदीर्ण कर डाला
sa-rathān rathinas tūrṇaṃ hayāṃś caiva sa-sādinaḥ | gajārohāṃś ca sa-gajān dārayāmāsa phālguniḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Phālguni (Arjuna) swiftly tore through the chariot-warriors along with their chariots, the horses together with their riders, and the elephant-riders together with their elephants—an intense depiction of battlefield prowess where martial skill is exercised without hesitation amid the grim ethics of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the uncompromising momentum of kṣatriya warfare: once battle is joined, a warrior like Arjuna executes his duty with decisive force. Ethically, it highlights the harsh reality that in war even mounts and vehicles become part of the combatant’s martial apparatus, intensifying the tragedy and gravity of dharma in conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna (Phālguni) is cutting through the opposing forces rapidly—destroying chariot-fighters with their chariots, horsemen with their horses, and elephant-riders with their elephants—showing a sweeping advance and overwhelming battlefield dominance.