Shloka 5
कर्णस्य दानप्रतिज्ञा–शल्योपदेश–वाक्ययुद्धम्
Karna’s Gift-Vows, Shalya’s Counsel, and the Battle of Words
चतुर्भिश्चतुरो वाहांस्तस्य हत्वा महारथ: । पजञ्चमेन शिर: कायात् सारथेश्व समाक्षिपत्
caturbhiś caturo vāhāṁs tasya hatvā mahārathaḥ | pañcamena śiraḥ kāyāt sārathes tu samākṣipat ||
Sañjaya berkata: Pahlawan kereta perang agung itu menewaskan empat ekor kuda Duryodhana dengan empat anak panah; kemudian, dengan anak panah kelima, dia memenggal kepala sais daripada tubuhnya lalu mencampakkannya ke bawah. Adegan ini menegaskan ketepatan yang kejam dalam kemahiran medan perang, ketika keperluan taktik dan hakisan pengekangan berjalan seiring di tengah runtuhnya tertib dharma dalam perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the extremity of war, technical prowess and strategic targeting (horses, then charioteer) can override ordinary restraints; it invites reflection on how dharma becomes strained and ambiguous when victory is pursued through escalating violence.
Sañjaya reports that an elite warrior disables Duryodhana’s chariot by killing its four horses with four arrows and then kills the charioteer by beheading him with a fifth arrow, effectively neutralizing Duryodhana’s mobility and immediate combat capacity.