Shloka 21
भीष्मरथाभिमुख्यं — Arjuna’s advance with Śikhaṇḍin; Duḥśāsana’s interception
रथिनश्न रथैहीना वर्मिणस्तेजसा युता: । कुण्डलोष्णीषिण: सर्वे निष्काड्दविभूषणा:
sañjaya uvāca |
rathinaś ca rathair hīnā varmiṇas tejasā yutāḥ |
kuṇḍaloṣṇīṣiṇaḥ sarve niṣkāṇḍavibhūṣaṇāḥ ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ହେ ପ୍ରଜାନାଥ! ଅନେକ ମହାରଥୀ ରଥହୀନ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଥିଲେ। ତଥାପି ସେମାନେ କବଚଧାରୀ, ଯୁଦ୍ଧତେଜରେ ଦୀପ୍ତ, କୁଣ୍ଡଳ ଓ ଉଷ୍ଣୀଷରେ ବିଭୂଷିତ; କଣ୍ଠରେ ସୁବର୍ଣ୍ଣ ନିଷ୍କ ଏବଂ ଭୁଜାରେ ବାହୁବନ୍ଧ ପରିଧାନ କରିଥିଲେ। ରୂପରେ ଦେବପୁତ୍ରସମ ଓ ଯୁଦ୍ଧେ ଇନ୍ଦ୍ରତୁଲ୍ୟ ପରାକ୍ରମୀ ଦେଖାଯାଉଥିଲେ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the instability of worldly power in war: even the most splendid and heroic warriors can be reduced to vulnerability when their supports (like chariots and formations) are lost. It highlights impermanence and the humbling force of circumstance, a reminder to ground valor in steadiness rather than external status.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield scene where many renowned chariot-fighters have lost their chariots. Despite still wearing armor and rich ornaments, they are forced to move on foot and scatter, revealing a moment of disarray and reversal amid the Kurukṣetra fighting.