Shloka 11
त्रिपुरदाह-इतिहासः
Tripura-destruction exemplum and counsel to Śalya
जघान चतुरोउश्चांश्न तं च विव्याध पठ्चभि: । सो5तिविद्धो बलवता प्रत्यपायाद् रथान्तरम्
sañjaya uvāca |
jaghāna caturāṁś cāśvān taṁ ca vivyādha pañcabhiḥ |
so 'tividdho balavatā pratyapāyād rathāntaram ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Pinatay niya ang apat na kabayo at tinusok din ang mandirigmang iyon ng limang palaso. Si Yuyutsu, na tinamaan nang buong lakas at malubhang nasugatan ng makapangyarihang Ulūka, ay umurong at sumilong sa ibang karwahe, at umatras mula roon.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield reality within kṣatriya-dharma: decisive action (disabling the enemy chariot by killing its horses) is followed by prudent withdrawal when one is grievously wounded. Valor is not only attack but also tactical retreat to preserve life and continue duty.
In Sañjaya’s report, Yuyutsu kills the opponent’s four horses and wounds him with five arrows; however, Ulūka (the mighty warrior) grievously wounds Yuyutsu in return, forcing Yuyutsu to abandon his position and mount another chariot to escape.