अध्याय २६ — शल्यस्य सारथ्य-नियोजनं, कर्णस्य प्रस्थानं, उत्पातदर्शनं च
Chapter 26: Śalya appointed as charioteer; Karṇa’s departure; portents
आतड्कादिव सीदन्ति रथचक्राणि मारिष
āṭaṅkādiva sīdanti rathacakrāṇi māriṣa
สัญชัยกล่าวว่า “โอ้ท่านผู้ควรเคารพ ล้อรถศึกทั้งหลายกำลังจมลง ราวกับเกิดความตระหนกฉับพลัน”
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how fear and turmoil can destabilize even powerful systems—here symbolized by chariot-wheels—implying that inner disturbance and the chaos of adharma-driven conflict erode effectiveness and control.
Sañjaya reports battlefield conditions to the listener, describing chariot-wheels sinking as though caused by panic—an image of confusion and strain amid the fighting in the Karṇa Parva.