Shloka 5
कर्णस्य दानप्रतिज्ञा–शल्योपदेश–वाक्ययुद्धम्
Karna’s Gift-Vows, Shalya’s Counsel, and the Battle of Words
चतुर्भिश्चतुरो वाहांस्तस्य हत्वा महारथ: । पजञ्चमेन शिर: कायात् सारथेश्व समाक्षिपत्
caturbhiś caturo vāhāṁs tasya hatvā mahārathaḥ | pañcamena śiraḥ kāyāt sārathes tu samākṣipat ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Ang dakilang mandirigmang-karwahe ay pinabagsak ang apat na kabayo ni Duryodhana sa apat na palaso; at sa ikalima, pinugot niya ang ulo ng kutsero mula sa katawan at ibinagsak ito. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito ang malupit na katumpakan ng husay sa digmaan, kung saan ang pangangailangang taktikal at ang pagguho ng pagpipigil ay magkasabay sa gitna ng pagbagsak ng kaayusang dharmiko sa giyera.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the extremity of war, technical prowess and strategic targeting (horses, then charioteer) can override ordinary restraints; it invites reflection on how dharma becomes strained and ambiguous when victory is pursued through escalating violence.
Sañjaya reports that an elite warrior disables Duryodhana’s chariot by killing its four horses with four arrows and then kills the charioteer by beheading him with a fifth arrow, effectively neutralizing Duryodhana’s mobility and immediate combat capacity.