Shloka 59
Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
षट्साहसैह्यै: शिष्टेरपायाच्छकुनिस्तत: । प्रजानाथ! शकुनि वहाँ दो घड़ी युद्ध करके शेष बचे हुए छः: हजार घुड़सवारोंके साथ भाग निकला ।। तथैव पाण्डवानीकं रुधिरेण समुक्षितम्
ṣaṭsāhasaiḥ śiṣṭair apāyāc chakunis tataḥ | prajānātha! śakuni vahāṁ do ghaṛī yuddha karke śeṣa bace hue ṣaḥ-sahasra ghuḍasavāroṁ ke sātha bhāga nikalā || tathaiva pāṇḍavānīkaṁ rudhireṇa samukṣitam |
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian Śakuni berundur dan melarikan diri bersama enam ribu penunggang kuda yang masih tinggal. Wahai tuan manusia, setelah bertempur di sana seketika, dia lolos dengan saki-baki kavalrinya. Demikian juga, bala tentera Pāṇḍava turut bermandi darah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the grim reality of war: even renowned leaders may retreat to preserve remaining forces, while both sides become stained by violence. It implicitly invites ethical reflection on the cost of conflict and the strategic choices made amid destruction.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Śakuni, after a brief engagement, withdraws and escapes with the surviving six thousand cavalry. He adds that the Pāṇḍava forces, too, are soaked in blood, indicating heavy fighting and casualties.