Shloka 51
भीमसेनस्य कौरवसुतवधः तथा श्रुतर्वावधः
Slaying of Kaurava princes and the fall of Śrutarvā
विवर्णमुख भूयिष्ठम भवत् तावकं बलम् । परिक्षीणायुधान् दृष्टवा तानहं परिवारितान्
vivarṇamukha bhūyiṣṭham abhavat tāvakaṁ balam | parikṣīṇāyudhān dṛṣṭvā tān ahaṁ parivāritān |
サンジャヤは言った。汝の軍の大半は顔色を失い、沈鬱に沈んだ。武器を失い四方から囲まれているのを見て、私は生への執着を断ち、さらに四人の大車戦士と合して、象隊と馬隊をもってドリシュタデュムナ率いる軍と戦いを交えた。この場面は、絶望と包囲が軍の士気を砕く一方で、忠誠と義務に縛られた武士が、生還の望み薄くともなお前へ進むことを示している。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of warfare: when fear and defeat spread, a warrior’s chosen duty and loyalty can still compel action. It also shows how attachment to life (jīvitamoha) is consciously set aside in moments of extreme crisis, reflecting the grim resolve expected in kṣatriya conduct.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava troops are largely demoralized, disarmed, and encircled. Seeing this, he describes taking up combat alongside four great chariot-warriors and the elephant-and-horse contingents, fighting against the forces commanded by Dhṛṣṭadyumna.