Shloka 38
रणभूमिवर्णनम् — Devāsuropama-yuddha and the ‘River’ Metaphor of the Battlefield
एकादश सहस्राणि रथानां भरतर्षभ,पत्तिकोट्यस्तथा तिसख्रो बलमेतत्तवाभवत् | भरतश्रेष्ठ) आपके पक्षमें ग्यारह हजार रथ, दस हजार सात सौ हाथी, दो लाख घोड़े तथा तीन करोड़ पैदल--इतनी सेना शेष रह गयी थी
sañjaya uvāca | ekādaśa sahasrāṇi rathānāṃ bharatarṣabha, pattikoṭyas tathā tisro balam etat tava abhavat |
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai banteng di antara keturunan Bharata, di pihak tuanku masih tinggal sebelas ribu kereta perang dan tiga koṭi askar pejalan kaki. Demikianlah kekuatan yang masih menjadi milik tuanku.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the stark arithmetic of war: even vast forces are reduced, highlighting impermanence and the heavy cost of adharma-driven conflict. It also reflects the epic’s ethical realism—victory and loss are measured not only in glory but in lives and dwindling resources.
Sañjaya is reporting to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the remaining strength on the Kaurava side, listing the numbers of chariots and infantry still left after severe fighting in the Shalya Parva context.