Shloka 25
श्वेतं तु निहतं दृष्टवा विराटस्य चमूपतिम् । कृतवर्मणा च सहित दृष्टवा शल्यमवस्थितम्
śvetaṃ tu nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā virāṭasya camūpatim | kṛtavarmaṇā ca sahitaṃ dṛṣṭvā śalyam avasthitam ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Śveta—commander of Virāṭa’s host—lying slain, and seeing Śalya standing firm together with Kṛtavarman, the warriors’ resolve and alignments on the battlefield became clear: leadership falls, yet duty in war compels others to hold their ground and continue the contest.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a battlefield ethic central to kṣatriya-dharma: even when a leader falls, others must uphold their duty and maintain steadiness. It highlights impermanence of life and the necessity of disciplined resolve amid loss.
Sañjaya reports that Śveta, the commander of King Virāṭa’s forces, has been killed. He also notes Śalya positioned firmly, accompanied by Kṛtavarman—indicating the opposing side’s readiness and continued organization after the fall of a key commander.