Shloka 12
Chapter 89: Bhīma dispatched to protect Ghaṭotkaca amid escalating engagements
(हताश्वे तु रथे तिष्ठन् शक्ति चिक्षेप धर्मराट् । तामापतन्ती सहसा कालपाशोपमां शिताम् ।।
hatāśve tu rathe tiṣṭhan śaktiṃ cikṣepa dharmarāṭ | tām āpatantīṃ sahasā kālapāśopamāṃ śitām || ciccheda samare bhīṣmaḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ || hatāśve tu rathaṃ tyaktvā dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | ārurōha rathaṃ tūrṇaṃ nakulasya mahātmanaḥ ||
हताश्वे तु रथे तिष्ठन् शक्तिं चिक्षेप धर्मराट् । तामापतन्तीं सहसा कालपाशोपमां शिताम् ॥ चिच्छेद समरे भीष्मः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥ हताश्वं तु रथं त्यक्त्वा धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः । आरुरोह रथं तूर्णं नकुलस्य महात्मनः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one’s immediate supports collapse (a chariot rendered helpless by slain horses), steadfastness and presence of mind remain essential; yet dharma in battle also includes prudence—when a position becomes untenable, a leader adapts quickly (Yudhiṣṭhira shifting to Nakula’s chariot) without abandoning the larger duty.
In the Kurukṣetra battle, Yudhiṣṭhira, standing on a chariot whose horses have been killed, hurls a spear at Bhīṣma. Bhīṣma sees it coming—likened to Death’s noose—and cuts it down with specialized arrows. Yudhiṣṭhira then leaves the disabled chariot and swiftly mounts Nakula’s chariot.