Shloka 22
अक्षैश्व बहुधा भग्नैरीषादण्डकबन्धुरै: । कुण्जरैर्मथितैश्वापि ध्वजैश्व विनिपातितैः
akṣaiś ca bahudhā bhagnair īṣādaṇḍaka-bandhuraiḥ | kuñjarair mathitaiś cāpi dhvajaiś ca vinipātitaiḥ ||
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು—ಆ ರಣಭೂಮಿ ಅನೇಕ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಬಿತ್ತು—ಅಕ್ಷಗಳು ಮುರಿದ ರಥಗಳು, ಮುರಿದ ಜೂಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಈಷಾದಂಡ-ಬಂಧುರಗಳು, ಮಥಿತವಾಗಿ ನಜ್ಜುಗುಜ್ಜಾದ ಆನೆಗಳು, ಕೆಡವಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ಧ್ವಜಗಳು.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of martial glory: the very emblems of power—chariots, elephants, and banners—are shown broken and cast down. It invites reflection on the impermanence of worldly might and the grave cost of adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the aftermath and intensity of battle: chariot parts are shattered, elephants are mangled, and standards have fallen, conveying a battlefield overwhelmed by ruin and heavy fighting.