Shloka 78
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
ततस्तं विरथं दृष्टवा कृप: शारद्वत: प्रभो
tatastam virathaṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛpaḥ śāradvataḥ prabho
तेव्हा त्याला रथहीन पाहून, हे प्रभो, शारद्वतपुत्र कृपाचार्यांनी राजाला उद्देशून म्हटले—युद्धाच्या घोर वळणांत वीरांची असहायता उघडी पडते आणि धर्म-कर्तव्याची कठोर मागणीही अधिकच तीव्र होते।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line highlights the battlefield reality that status and advantage can reverse instantly; a warrior may become chariotless, yet the ethical demand of kṣatriya-duty persists. It also frames a response by a senior figure (Kṛpa), suggesting counsel or reaction shaped by responsibility rather than mere triumphalism.
Sañjaya narrates to the king that Kṛpa notices a key warrior has become viratha (without a chariot). This observation marks a turning point in the combat situation and sets up Kṛpa’s ensuing words or action in response to that vulnerability.