Shloka 4
Śalya–Bhīma Gadāyuddham (मद्रराज-भीमसेन गदायुद्धम्)
रथिन: सादिनश्लैव नागानश्वान् पदातिन: । रौद्रा हस्तवता मुक्ता: सम्मृद्नन्ति सम सायका:,शीघ्रतापूर्वक हाथ चलानेवाले द्रोणाचार्यके छोड़े हुए भयंकर बाण पाण्डव-सेनाके रथियों, घुड़सवारों, हाथियों, घोड़ों और पैदल योद्धाओंको गर्दमें मिला रहे थे
rathinaḥ sādinaś caiva nāgān aśvān padātinaḥ | raudrā hastavatā muktāḥ sammṛdnanti sama-sāyakāḥ ||
रथिनः सादिनश्चैव नागानश्वान् पदातिनः । रौद्राः हस्तवता मुक्ताः सम्मृद्नन्ति समं शराः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary martial prowess, when joined to wrath in war, can annihilate indiscriminately across ranks. Ethically, it points to the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension: even actions performed within kṣatriya warfare can generate vast suffering, pressing the listener to reflect on dharma’s complexity amid collective violence.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Droṇa is unleashing fierce, accurately shot arrows. These missiles are devastating the Pāṇḍava forces—charioteers, cavalry, elephants, horses, and infantry—depicting Droṇa’s overwhelming momentum on the battlefield.