Shloka 42
स च्छिन्नधन्वा तेजस्वी रथशक्त्या सुतं तव । बिभेदोरसि विक्रम्प स रथोपस्थ आविशत्,धनुष कट जानेपर तेजस्वी भीमसेनने पराक्रमपूर्वक आपके पुत्रकी छातीमें रथशक्तिका प्रहार किया। उसकी चोट खाकर दुर्योधन रथके पिछले भागमें मूर्च्छित होकर बैठ गया
sa cchinnadhanvā tejasvī rathaśaktyā sutaṃ tava | bibhedorasi vikramya sa rathopastha āviśat ||
Sañjaya said: Though his bow had been cut, the radiant Bhīmasena, advancing with force, struck your son on the chest with a spear meant for chariots. Stunned by the blow, Duryodhana collapsed and sank down upon the rear part of his chariot-seat. The scene underscores how, in the fury of war, prowess and resolve continue even after a warrior’s primary weapon is lost, and how the consequences of adharma-driven conflict culminate in bodily and moral ruin.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the relentless momentum of war: even when a warrior is disarmed, determination and martial skill can still inflict decisive harm. Ethically, it points to the bitter fruition of adharma—conflict pursued through pride and injustice culminates in humiliation, collapse, and suffering.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīmasena, despite having his bow cut, attacks Duryodhana with a rathaśakti and pierces him in the chest. Duryodhana, overwhelmed by the impact, slumps unconscious or stunned into the rear seat area of his chariot.