Shloka 28
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
अश्वत्थामा ततः क्रुद्धो निमेषार्धाच्छिखण्डिन: । ध्वजं सूतमथो राजंस्तुरगानायुधानि च
aśvatthāmā tataḥ kruddho nimeṣārdhāc chikhaṇḍinaḥ | dhvajaṃ sūtam atho rājan turagān āyudhāni ca
तेव्हा क्रुद्ध झालेल्या अश्वत्थाम्याने, हे राजन्, अर्ध्या निमेषातच शिखंडीचा ध्वज, सारथी, घोडे आणि त्याची आयुधेही पाडून टाकली।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger (krodha) in war drives swift, comprehensive destruction—targeting not only the opponent but also the enabling supports (banner, charioteer, horses, weapons). Ethically, it points to the peril of wrath: it accelerates action and amplifies harm, challenging the restraint expected even within kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Aśvatthāmā, enraged, rapidly disables Śikhaṇḍin’s fighting capacity by striking down his chariot’s banner, his charioteer, his horses, and his weapons—an instantaneous battlefield dismantling of the opponent’s chariot-unit.