Shloka 21
कोसलानामधिपतिर्धहत्वा बहुमतान् परान् | सौभद्रेण हि विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्,कोशलनरेश शत्रुपक्षके अत्यन्त सम्मानित वीरोंका वध करके सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्युके साथ पराक्रम दिखाते हुए यमलोकके पथिक बन गये
kosalānām adhipatir hatvā bahumatān parān | saubhadreṇa hi vikramya gamito yamasādanam ||
Sañjaya said: The lord of the Kośalas, after slaying many highly esteemed warriors of the opposing side, displayed his valor against Saubhadra (Abhimanyu) and was sent to the abode of Yama. The verse underscores the war’s moral gravity: even celebrated prowess and battlefield success culminate in death when one meets a superior adversary, reminding the listener of the impermanence of martial glory and the inexorable law of mortality.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the transience of martial fame: even a king who has slain many honored foes is ultimately carried to death when confronted by a stronger warrior. It frames battlefield prowess within an ethical horizon where mortality and consequence (karma) remain unavoidable.
Sañjaya reports that the king of Kośala, after killing many respected warriors from the enemy side, engages Saubhadra—Abhimanyu, son of Subhadrā—shows valor in that encounter, and is slain, thus ‘sent to Yama’s abode’ (i.e., killed in battle).