Shloka 59
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
व्यधमद् द्विषत: संख्ये खगराडिव पन्नगान् | देहान् सुनिशितैर्भल्लै रिपूर्णां नाशयन् क्षणात्
vyadhamad dviṣataḥ saṅkhye khagarāḍ iva pannagān | dehān suniśitair bhallaiḥ ripūṇāṃ nāśayan kṣaṇāt ||
യുദ്ധത്തിൽ അവൻ ശത്രുക്കളെ ഖഗരാജനായ ഗരുഡൻ സർപ്പങ്ങളെ തകർക്കുന്നതുപോലെ തകർത്തു. അത്യന്തം മൂർച്ചയുള്ള ഭല്ലബാണങ്ങളാൽ ക്ഷണത്തിൽ തന്നെ ശത്രുദേഹങ്ങൾ നശിപ്പിച്ചു।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s stark portrayal of kṣatriya warfare: skill and speed can annihilate opponents instantly. Ethically, it underscores the tension between duty in war and the human cost—valor is celebrated, yet the imagery also reminds the listener of war’s merciless nature.
Sañjaya narrates a warrior’s overwhelming assault in the battlefield, comparing him to Garuḍa preying on serpents. Using extremely sharp arrows, he rapidly kills or disables many enemies.