Shloka 27
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
तथापरेणास्य जहार यन्तुः कायाच्छिर: संहननीयमध्यात् । जघान चाश्चां श्वतुरः सुशीघ्र॑ तथा भृशं कुपितो भीमसेन:
tathāpareṇāsya jahāra yantuḥ kāyāc chiraḥ saṃhananīyamadhyāt | jaghāna cāśvāṃ śvaturaḥ suśīghraṃ tathā bhṛśaṃ kupito bhīmasenaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then, with another blow, the charioteer severed his head from the body at the neck. And Bhīmasena, fiercely enraged, swiftly struck down the four horses as well. The scene underscores the war’s ruthless momentum: anger drives rapid, decisive violence, where even the supporting elements of battle—driver and steeds—are cut down to disable the foe completely.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger (krodha) accelerates destructive action in war, and how combat often targets not only the main warrior but also the chariot-system—driver and horses—to render the opponent helpless. Ethically, it reflects the grim reality of battlefield duty where tactical disabling can override compassion.
Sañjaya reports that a charioteer severs a man’s head at the neck with another blow, and then Bhīmasena—furiously enraged—swiftly kills the four horses, effectively crippling the enemy’s chariot and mobility.