Shloka 24
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Anxiety and Bhīṣma’s Theological Explanation of Pāṇḍava Invincibility
Book 6, Chapter 61
ध्वजैस्तत्रापविद्धैश्व कार्मुकैस्तोमरैस्तथा । प्रासैस्तथा गदाभिश्न परिघै: कम्पनैस्तथा
sañjaya uvāca |
dhvajais tatrāpaviddhaiś ca kārmukais tomarais tathā |
prāsais tathā gadābhiś ca parighaiḥ kampanaiḥ tathā ||
Sañjaya berkata: Di sana tanah dipenuhi panji-panji yang tercampak, busur, lembing, tombak, gada, belantan besi, dan tukul perang yang berat—berselerak begitu tebal sehingga medan itu seolah-olah berhampar dengan alat-alat tempur yang patah. Pemandangan itu menegaskan beban moral perang: bahkan lambang kebanggaan dan senjata yang menandai keberanian pun menjadi serpihan tidak bernyawa apabila dharma dipertikaikan melalui keganasan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the transience of martial glory: banners and weapons—symbols of honor and power—end up scattered on the ground. It implicitly invites reflection on the ethical burden of war and the fragility of human pride when dharma is pursued through violent means.
Sañjaya is reporting to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the दृश्य of the battlefield, describing how the area is littered with fallen standards and various weapons (bows, javelins, lances, maces, iron clubs, and heavy striking weapons), conveying the intensity and devastation of the fighting.