Shloka 21
द्रोणपर्व — अध्याय २७: सुशर्माह्वानम्, अर्जुनस्य प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, भगदत्तेन गजप्रहारः
शतश: पाणयश्शकछिन्ना: सेषुज्यातलकार्मुका: । केतवो वाजिन: सूता रथिनश्वापतन् क्षितौ,सैकड़ों भुजाएँ बाण, प्रत्यंचा और धनुषसहित कट गयीं। ध्वज, घोड़े, सारथि और रथी सभी धराशायी हो गये
śataśaḥ pāṇayaś chinnāḥ sa-śujyā-tala-kārmukāḥ | ketavo vājinaḥ sūtā rathinaś cāpatann kṣitau ||
Sañjaya berkata: Beratus-ratus lengan terpenggal—masih menggenggam busur bersama tali dan pegangannya. Panji-panji tumbang; kuda-kuda rebah; sais dan para pahlawan kereta perang pun tersungkur ke bumi.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the grim impartiality of war: skill, status, and martial equipment offer no ultimate security. It invites reflection on the ethical weight of kṣatriya warfare—where duty may compel combat, yet the human cost remains stark and undeniable.
Sañjaya reports intense fighting in which many warriors are cut down. Arms are severed while still holding bows; banners, horses, charioteers, and chariot-fighters collapse to the ground, conveying a battlefield overwhelmed by destruction.