Shloka 21
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
उनके रथ, घोड़े और हाथी उत्तम कोटिके थे। पैदल सैनिक भी बड़े भयंकर थे। वे नाना प्रकारके बाजे बजाने-वालोंके साथ हर्षमें भरकर नाचते-कूदते और हँसते थे ।।
tasya sainyasya mahato mahāmātravaraīr vṛtaḥ | madhye vṛkodaro 'bhyāyāt tvadīyān nāgadhūr-gataḥ || apatad tacchiro rājan kuṇḍalopacitaṃ mahat | mahāsamare māryamāṇasyānuvindasya śambarāsuraśiro-yathā ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Ang kanilang mga karwahe, kabayo, at elepante ay pawang napakahusay; ang mga kawal na lakad ay tunay na kakila-kilabot. Sa galak, kasama ang mga tumutugtog ng sari-saring instrumento, sila’y nagsasayaw, lumulundag, at nagtatawanan. Sa gitna ng napakalaking hukbo, si Bhīmasena—si Vṛkodara—na nakasakay sa elepante at napalilibutan ng mahuhusay na mahout at mga pinuno, ay sumulong nang tuwid patungo sa iyong mga kawal. Pagkaraan, O Hari, sa dakilang labanan, ang malaking ulo ni Anuvinda na may palamuting hikaw ay naputol at bumagsak sa lupa—gaya ng ulo ng asurang si Śambara—at ibinagsak sa dalamhati ang buong Kekaya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical cost of war: even amid martial prowess and disciplined advance, the immediate consequence is death and communal sorrow. It implicitly warns that victory-seeking action in battle inevitably spreads grief across allies and families, reminding the listener (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) of the heavy moral and emotional burden of the conflict.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma (Vṛkodara) advancing into the center of the opposing army while mounted on an elephant and surrounded by attendants. In the same battle sequence, Anuvinda is slain; his earring-adorned head is severed and falls, causing the Kekaya warriors to mourn.