Shloka 22
Jayadrathasya varaprāptiḥ (जयद्रथस्य वरप्राप्तिः) — Jayadratha’s boon and the restraint of the Pāṇḍava advance
स शब्दो भरतश्रेष्ठ दिश: सर्वा व्यनादयत् । सौभद्रश्नाद्रवत् सेनां घ्नन् वराश्वरथद्विपान्,भरतश्रेष्ठ। वह शब्द सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंको प्रतिध्वनित कर रहा था। सुभद्राकुमार श्रेष्ठ घोड़ों, रथों और हाथियोंका संहार करता हुआ कौरव-सेनापर टूट पड़ा था
sa śabdo bharataśreṣṭha diśaḥ sarvā vyanādayat | saubhadraḥ śīghram adravat senāṃ ghnan varāśvarathadvipān, bharataśreṣṭha ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ହେ ଭରତଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ! ସେଇ ଗର୍ଜନ ସମସ୍ତ ଦିଗକୁ ପ୍ରତିଧ୍ୱନିତ କଲା। ସୁଭଦ୍ରାପୁତ୍ର ଅଭିମନ୍ୟୁ ଶୀଘ୍ରେ କୌରବସେନା ଉପରେ ଧାଇ ପଡ଼ି, ତାଙ୍କର ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ଅଶ୍ୱ, ରଥ ଓ ଗଜମାନଙ୍କୁ ସଂହାର କରୁଥିଲା।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse implicitly contrasts martial excellence with the vast human cost of war: a single warrior’s force can dominate the field, yet that very power manifests as widespread destruction. It reflects the Mahābhārata’s ethical tension—kṣatriya-duty may demand fighting, but the epic never lets the listener forget the gravity of slaughter.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a tremendous battle-roar echoed in all directions as Saubhadra (Abhimanyu) charged into the Kaurava formation, killing their best horses, charioteers/chariots, and elephants—signaling a fierce breakthrough and escalating combat.