Shloka 26
Bhūriśravas–Sātyaki Saṃvāda and Duel; Arjuna’s Intervention (भूरिश्रवाः–सात्यकि संवादः, युद्धम्, अर्जुन-हस्तक्षेपः)
सम्भिन्नमर्मघण्टाश्न विनिकृत्तमहाध्वजा: । हतारोहा दिशो राजन् भेजिरे भ्रष्टकम्बला:,उन हाथियोंके दाँत टूट गये, सारे अंगोंसे खूनकी धाराएँ बहने लगीं, कुम्भस्थल और गण्डस्थल फट गये, कान, मुख और शुण्ड छिलन्न-भिन्न हो गये, महावत मारे गये और ध्वजा- पताकाएँ टूटकर गिर गयीं। उनके मर्मस्थल विदीर्ण हो गये, घंटे टूट गये और विशाल ध्वज कटकर गिर पड़े। सवार मारे गये तथा झूल खिसककर गिर गये थे। राजन्! ऐसी अवस्थामें उन हाथियोंने भागकर विभिन्न दिशाओंकी शरण ली थी
sa bhinnamarmagha99015bna vinik9ttamah01dhvaj01 25 | hat01roh01 di5bo r01jan bhejire bhra 63 6dakambal01 25 ||
Sanjaya said: O King, those elephants, their vital spots torn open and their bell-armor shattered, with their great standards hewn down, fled in different directions. Their riders had been slain, and their saddle-cloths had slipped away—so, broken and routed, they sought safety by scattering across the field. The scene underscores the pitiless momentum of battle, where even the mightiest mounts become helpless once protection, leadership, and order collapse.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of power in war: once protection, command, and cohesion are destroyed, even the strongest forces collapse into fear and flight. It implicitly cautions against pride in martial might and points to the ethical cost of warfare, where living beings become instruments and victims.
Sanjaya reports to King Dh9tar01 63 6dra that elephants on the battlefield have been grievously wounded: their vital points are torn, their equipment and great standards are cut down, their riders are killed, and their saddle-cloths slip off. In that condition they break formation and flee in various directions.