Shloka 38
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
विविंशतेश्व दौणेश्व यन्तारी समताडयत् | तौ पेततू रथोपस्थे रश्मीनुत्सूज्य वाजिनाम्,वे नाराच उसके कवचको कछिज्न-भिन्न करके शीघ्र ही धरतीमें समा गये। साथ ही घटोत्कचने विविंशति और अभश्व॒त्थामाके सारथियोंपर गहरा आघात किया। वे दोनों घोड़ोंकी बागडोर छोड़कर रथकी बैठकमें गिर पड़े
viviṁśateś ca dauṇeś ca yantārī samatāḍayat | tau petatur rathopasthe raśmīn utsṛjya vājinām ||
Sañjaya said: Ghaṭotkaca struck down the charioteers of both Viviṁśati and the son of Droṇa (Aśvatthāman). Releasing the reins of their horses, the two drivers collapsed onto the chariot-platform. The scene underscores the brutal momentum of battle, where the fall of a single charioteer can abruptly end a warrior’s control and safety, intensifying the moral darkness of war’s indiscriminate violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war rapidly strips away control and dignity: even mighty fighters become vulnerable when the supporting roles (like charioteers) are destroyed. Ethically, it points to the escalating cruelty of battle and the fragile dependence of warriors on others, complicating any claim that war remains cleanly governed by dharma.
Sañjaya reports that Ghaṭotkaca attacks and heavily strikes the charioteers of Viviṁśati and Aśvatthāman. The two charioteers drop the reins and fall onto the chariot-seat, leaving the horses uncontrolled and the warriors exposed in the chaos of combat.