Shloka 5
अथ कर्णस्य सचिवान् षट् शूरांश्रित्रयोधिन: । साश्वसूतध्वजरथान् सौभद्रो निजघान ह,तदनन्तर सुभद्राकुमारने कर्णके विचित्र युद्ध करनेवाले छ: शूरवीर मन्त्रियोंको उनके घोड़े, सारथि, रथ तथा ध्वजसहित मार डाला
atha karṇasya sacivān ṣaṭ śūrān śastrayodhinaḥ | sāśvasūtadhvajarathān saubhadro nijaghāna ha ||
Sañjaya said: Then Abhimanyu, the son of Subhadrā, struck down six heroic ministers of Karṇa—fighters skilled with weapons—killing them together with their horses, charioteers, chariots, and standards. The scene underscores the ruthless totality of battlefield duty in the Kurukṣetra war, where loyalty to one’s side and martial obligation override personal ties, and victory is pursued by dismantling not only the warrior but the entire war-machine that sustains him.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the uncompromising nature of kṣatriya warfare: a warrior’s duty is executed decisively, and strategic victory often means destroying the opponent’s entire fighting apparatus (chariot, banner, horses, and driver), not merely engaging in personal combat.
Sañjaya reports that Abhimanyu (Saubhadra) kills six of Karṇa’s minister-warriors, along with their chariots, banners, horses, and charioteers—showing Abhimanyu’s momentum and the intensifying violence of the battle.