Shloka 6
हतेश्वरैश्वूर्णितपत्त्युपस्करै- हताश्वसूतैर्विपताककेतुभि: । महारथीैर्भू: शुशुभे विचूर्णिति: पुरैरिवामित्रहतैर्नराधिप,नरेश्वर! शत्रुओंके द्वारा तहस-नहस किये गये विशाल नगरोंके समान बड़े-बड़े रथ चूर- चूर होकर गिरे थे। उनके घोड़े और सारथि मार दिये गये थे तथा ध्वजा-पताकाएँ नष्ट कर दी गयी थीं। इसी प्रकार उनके सवार मरे पड़े थे, पैदल सैनिक तथा युद्धसम्बन्धी अन्य उपकरण चूर-चूर हो गये थे। इन सबके द्वारा उस रणभूमिकी अद्भुत शोभा हो रही थी
sañjaya uvāca |
hateśvaraiś cūrṇita-patty-upaskaraiḥ hata-aśva-sūtair vipatāka-ketubhiḥ |
mahārathaiḥ bhūḥ śuśubhe vicūrṇitā purair ivāmitra-hataiḥ narādhipa, nareśvara ||
Sañjaya said: O king, O lord of men, the earth shone—though strewn with ruin—through the presence of great chariots smashed to pieces, their horses and charioteers slain, their banners and standards torn down, and their infantry and other implements of war crushed and scattered. The battlefield’s dreadful splendor resembled that of vast cities laid waste by enemy conquerors—an image that underscores the moral cost of victory when dharma is pursued through devastating violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the paradox of ‘splendor’ born from devastation: martial glory in a dharma-war still carries immense human and material ruin. It invites reflection on the ethical weight of victory and the impermanence of power, armies, and worldly achievements.
Sañjaya reports to the king that the battlefield is covered with shattered chariots, slain horses and charioteers, fallen banners, and crushed infantry and equipment—likening the scene to great cities destroyed by enemies.