Shloka 21
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Anxiety and Bhīṣma’s Theological Explanation of Pāṇḍava Invincibility
Book 6, Chapter 61
गजारोहा हयारोहान् पातयाज्चक्रिरे तदा । हयारोहा गजस्थांश्व तदद्भुतमिवा भवत्,हाथीसवार घुड़सवारोंको और घुड़सवार हाथी-सवारोंको युद्धस्थलमें गिरा देते थे। ये घटनाएँ आश्षर्यजनक-सी प्रतीत होती थीं
sañjaya uvāca | gajārohā hayārohān pātayāñ cakrire tadā | hayārohā gajasthāṃś ca tad adbhutam ivābhavat |
サञ्जयは語った――その時、象乗りは馬上の兵を倒し、馬上の兵はまた象上の者を引き落とした。戦場で騎乗の戦士たちが互いに打ち倒し合うさまは、ほとんど奇瑞のように見えた――戦の苛烈な技と危険とが生んだ、畏怖を誘う光景であった。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrifying reciprocity of warfare: prowess and vulnerability coexist, and even impressive feats can appear 'wondrous' while remaining rooted in destruction. It implicitly cautions that admiration of martial spectacle should not obscure the human cost and peril inherent in battle.
Sañjaya describes a moment in the Kurukṣetra war where elephant-mounted warriors knock down horsemen, and horsemen counter by bringing down those on elephants. The rapid reversals and skillful strikes make the scene seem astonishing.