Shloka 59
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
व्यधमद् द्विषत: संख्ये खगराडिव पन्नगान् | देहान् सुनिशितैर्भल्लै रिपूर्णां नाशयन् क्षणात्
vyadhamad dviṣataḥ saṅkhye khagarāḍ iva pannagān | dehān suniśitair bhallaiḥ ripūṇāṃ nāśayan kṣaṇāt ||
Disse Sañjaya: No aperto da batalha, ele abateu os guerreiros inimigos como Garuḍa, rei das aves, abate as serpentes. Com flechas de gume cortante, destruiu os corpos de seus adversários num instante—imagem do ímpeto implacável da guerra, em que a destreza se mede pelo dano rápido e decisivo, não pela compaixão.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s stark portrayal of kṣatriya warfare: skill and speed can annihilate opponents instantly. Ethically, it underscores the tension between duty in war and the human cost—valor is celebrated, yet the imagery also reminds the listener of war’s merciless nature.
Sañjaya narrates a warrior’s overwhelming assault in the battlefield, comparing him to Garuḍa preying on serpents. Using extremely sharp arrows, he rapidly kills or disables many enemies.