Shloka 13
Dvaipāyana-hrade Duryodhanasya Māyā — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharmoktiḥ (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 30)
प्रतिविद्धाश्व भूयिष्ठं ये शिष्टास्तत्र सैनिका: । न ते वेगं विषहितुं शक्तास्तव विशाम्पते
pratividdhāśva bhūyiṣṭhaṃ ye śiṣṭās tatra sainikāḥ | na te vegaṃ viṣahituṃ śaktās tava viśāmpate ||
Disse Sañjaya: Os soldados que ali permaneceram em maior número — homens de posição — tiveram seus cavalos traspassados. Ó senhor dos povos, não foram capazes de suportar o teu ímpeto; não puderam resistir à força do teu assalto.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of war: even disciplined and reputable warriors can be overwhelmed when force and momentum break their formation. It implicitly highlights the ethical weight of leadership in battle—power and speed bring decisive results, but at the cost of suffering to men and animals alike.
Sañjaya reports to the king that many of the remaining soldiers—described as śiṣṭa, men of standing—had their horses struck, and they were unable to bear the attacking warrior’s momentum. The line functions as a battlefield update emphasizing the irresistible force of the assault.