ततो हताश्वादवरुह् याना- दादाय चर्मामलरुक्मचन्द्रम् । आकाशसंकाशमसिं प्रगृहम दोधूयमान: खगवच्चचार
tato hatāśvād avaruhya yānād ādāya carmāmalarukmacandram | ākāśasaṅkāśam asiṁ pragṛhya dodhūyamānaḥ khagavac cacāra ||
सञ्जय उवाच—ततो हताश्वादवरुह्य यानादादाय चर्मामलरुक्मचन्द्रम्। आकाशसंकाशमसिं प्रगृह्य दोधूयमानः खगवच्चचार॥
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights steadfastness in kṣatriya-dharma: even after losing the chariot’s support (horses), a warrior should keep composure, adapt, and continue to act with courage and competence rather than collapse into fear or helplessness.
After his horses are killed, Nakula dismounts, takes up a clean shield with a golden moon emblem and a sky-bright sword, and moves about brandishing the blade—described poetically as roaming like a bird.