Shloka 38
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
विविंशतेश्व दौणेश्व यन्तारी समताडयत् | तौ पेततू रथोपस्थे रश्मीनुत्सूज्य वाजिनाम्
viviṁśateś ca dauṇeś ca yantārī samatāḍayat | tau petatur rathopasthe raśmīn utsṛjya vājinām ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Pinabagsak ni Ghaṭotkaca ang mga kutsero nina Vivimśati at ng anak ni Droṇa (Aśvatthāmā). Nang mabitawan nila ang renda ng mga kabayo, kapwa sila bumagsak sa plataporma ng karwahe.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war rapidly strips away control and dignity: even mighty fighters become vulnerable when the supporting roles (like charioteers) are destroyed. Ethically, it points to the escalating cruelty of battle and the fragile dependence of warriors on others, complicating any claim that war remains cleanly governed by dharma.
Sañjaya reports that Ghaṭotkaca attacks and heavily strikes the charioteers of Viviṁśati and Aśvatthāman. The two charioteers drop the reins and fall onto the chariot-seat, leaving the horses uncontrolled and the warriors exposed in the chaos of combat.