Shloka 57
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — सात्यकि-अलम्बुसयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue; Account of Sātyaki vs Alambusa
स पपात हत: सूतो हार्दिक्यस्य महारथात् । ततस्ते यन्तृरहिता: प्राद्रवंस्तुरगा भूशम्,उनके द्वारा मारा गया सारथि कृतवर्मके विशाल रथसे नीचे गिर पड़ा। फिर तो सारथिके बिना उसके घोड़े बड़े जोरसे भागने लगे
sa papāta hataḥ sūto hārdikyasya mahārathāt | tataste yantr̥rahitāḥ prādravams turagā bhūśam ||
Sanjaya said: The charioteer, slain, fell down from the great chariot of Hārdikya (Kṛtavarmā). Then, deprived of their driver, the horses bolted violently across the ground—showing how, in the chaos of war, the fall of a single supporting agent can throw even a mighty warrior’s apparatus into disorder.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the power of a great warrior depends on supporting roles and right control: when the charioteer falls, the system collapses into disorder. The verse highlights interdependence and the fragility of order amid violence.
Kṛtavarmā’s charioteer is killed and falls from the chariot. With no driver to restrain and guide them, the horses panic and run wildly across the battlefield.