Shloka 6
Bhagadattā’s Deployment Against Ghaṭotkaca; Elephant-Corps Escalation
विरथान् रथिनश्षक्रे पिता देवव्रतस्तव । पतितान्युत्तमाज़ानि हयेभ्यो हयसादिनाम्,आपके ताऊ देवव्रतने बहुत-से रथियोंको रथहीन कर दिया। घोड़ोंसे घुड़सवारोंके मस्तक कट-कटकर गिरने लगे
virathān rathinaḥ śakre pitā devavratas tava | patitāny uttamāṅgāni hayebhyo hayasādinām ||
Sañjaya berkata: Ayahanda tuanku, Devavrata (Bhīṣma), telah menjadikan ramai pahlawan kereta perang kehilangan kereta mereka; dan dari atas kuda, kepala para penunggang terpenggal lalu jatuh, diputus berulang-ulang kali.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: mastery and steadfastness in one’s duty can produce devastating outcomes. It invites reflection on dharma in conflict—how personal excellence and obligation on the battlefield coexist with the tragic cost borne by living beings.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīṣma is dominating the fight: he is disabling enemy chariot-fighters by stripping them of their chariots, and he is cutting down mounted warriors so that their severed heads fall from their horses.