Shloka 2536
Adhyāya 21 — Duryodhanasya bāṇavarṣaḥ
Duryodhana’s Arrow-Storm and the Dust-Obscured Engagements
कृतवर्मा कृतस्तेन धरणीमन्वपद्यत । इसके बाद उन्होंने कृतवर्माकी छातीमें एक भल्लद्वारा गहरी चोट पहुँचायी। तब वह युयुधानद्वारा घोड़ों और सारथिसे रहित किया हुआ कृतवर्मा रथ छोड़कर युद्धस्थलमें पृथ्वीपर खड़ा हो गया
sañjaya uvāca | kṛtavarmā kṛtastena dharaṇīm anvapadyata |
सञ्जय उवाच—तेनाभिहतः कृतवर्मा धरणीमन्वपद्यत। ततः स भल्लेन वक्षसि गाढं विद्धः; युयुधानेन च अश्वसूतविहीनः कृतवर्मा रथं परित्यज्य रणभूमौ भूमौ स्थितः।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores the instability of martial advantage: when a warrior loses his chariot-support (horses and charioteer), he is forced into a more vulnerable stance. Ethically, it highlights the kṣatriya ideal of continuing to face danger even after losing position and protection, while also reminding that war rapidly strips away status and security.
Sañjaya reports that Kṛtavarmā is struck and falls to the ground; then he receives a deep chest-wound from a sharp arrow. Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) disables his chariot by depriving it of horses and charioteer, so Kṛtavarmā leaves the chariot and stands on foot on the battlefield.