Shloka 2536
Adhyāya 21 — Duryodhanasya bāṇavarṣaḥ
Duryodhana’s Arrow-Storm and the Dust-Obscured Engagements
कृतवर्मा कृतस्तेन धरणीमन्वपद्यत । इसके बाद उन्होंने कृतवर्माकी छातीमें एक भल्लद्वारा गहरी चोट पहुँचायी। तब वह युयुधानद्वारा घोड़ों और सारथिसे रहित किया हुआ कृतवर्मा रथ छोड़कर युद्धस्थलमें पृथ्वीपर खड़ा हो गया
sañjaya uvāca | kṛtavarmā kṛtastena dharaṇīm anvapadyata |
サンジャヤは言った。「彼に打ち倒され、クリタヴァルマーは大地に倒れ伏した。さらに鋭い矢が胸を深く貫き、重い傷を負った。しかもユユダー ナ（サーティヤキ）によって馬と御者を奪われると、クリタヴァルマーは戦車を捨て、戦場の地に立った――戦において武勇は武器のみならず、支えと地位を失うことによっても試されるのだという姿である。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores the instability of martial advantage: when a warrior loses his chariot-support (horses and charioteer), he is forced into a more vulnerable stance. Ethically, it highlights the kṣatriya ideal of continuing to face danger even after losing position and protection, while also reminding that war rapidly strips away status and security.
Sañjaya reports that Kṛtavarmā is struck and falls to the ground; then he receives a deep chest-wound from a sharp arrow. Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) disables his chariot by depriving it of horses and charioteer, so Kṛtavarmā leaves the chariot and stands on foot on the battlefield.