Shloka 47
भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103
त्वरमाण: सुसंरब्धो हयांस्तेषां महात्मनाम् । जघान राक्षस: क्रुद्ध: सारथींश्व महाबल:
tvaramāṇaḥ susaṃrabdho hayāṃs teṣāṃ mahātmanām | jaghāna rākṣasaḥ kruddhaḥ sārathīṃś ca mahābalaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Menerjah ke hadapan dalam gelora yang ganas, Rākṣasa yang murka—berkekuatan besar—menyerang dan menjatuhkan kuda-kuda para pahlawan mulia itu, serta para kusir mereka juga. Peristiwa ini menunjukkan bahawa dalam kegilaan perang, kekerasan boleh menjadi serentak strategik dan membuta tuli, menyasar bukan sahaja para pejuang tetapi juga penopang perang—tunggangan dan pemandu—lalu menambah huru-hara dan penderitaan.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how uncontrolled anger (krodha) in war can erode restraint and lead to destructive acts that amplify disorder—attacking the very supports of combat (horses and charioteers). It implicitly contrasts disciplined kṣatriya conduct with rage-driven violence that borders on adharma.
Sañjaya reports that an enraged, powerful Rākṣasa rushes into the fight and strikes down the horses and charioteers belonging to the noble warriors, crippling their chariots and escalating the turmoil of the battle.