Shloka 22
भीष्मवधाय प्रयाणम् — The Advance toward Bhīṣma and Counter-Engagements
हताश्व॑ रथमुत्सज्य विकर्णस्तु महारथ: । आरुरोह रथं राजंश्रित्रसेनस्थ भारत,भरतवंशी नरेश! घोड़ोंके मारे जानेपर महारथी विकर्ण अपना रथ छोड़कर चित्रसेनके रथपर जा बैठा
hatāśvaṁ ratham utsajya vikarṇas tu mahārathaḥ | ārurōha rathaṁ rājan citrasenastha bhārata ||
Sañjaya said: When his horses had been slain, the great chariot-warrior Vikarṇa abandoned his own chariot and, O King, mounted the chariot of Citrasena. The scene underscores the relentless pragmatics of battle—warriors must swiftly adapt to survive and continue their duty in combat, even amid sudden loss and disorder.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the ethics of kṣatriya warfare, one must not collapse into helplessness when resources are lost; steadiness and swift adaptation are required to continue one’s appointed duty (svadharma) amid crisis.
Vikarṇa’s chariot becomes unusable because its horses are killed. He immediately abandons it and climbs onto Citrasena’s chariot, allowing him to remain engaged in the battle.