Shloka 31
धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्रतु-प्रवर्तनम् तथा पाण्डवानां निमन्त्रण-प्रतिवचनम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Sacrifice Commences and the Pandavas’ Reply to the Invitation
अन्ये छत्र॑ वरूथं च बन्धुरं च तथापरे | गन्धर्वा बहुसाहस्रास्तिलशो व्यधमन् रथम्
anye chatraṃ varūthaṃ ca bandhuram ca tathāpare | gandharvā bahusāhasrās tilaśo vyadhaman ratham |
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Ang ilan ay pumutol sa payong; ang iba’y sa panangga; at ang iba pa’y sa mga tali at pagkakabigkis ng karwahe. Ang mga Gandharva, na libu-libo ang bilang, ay pinagpira-piraso ang karwahe ni Karṇa, unti-unti, hanggang magiba na parang naging butil-butil.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
External symbols of authority and protection—like the royal parasol and chariot defenses—can be swiftly undone when one faces a superior, coordinated force; the episode cautions against overreliance on status and material safeguards and highlights the need for humility and prudent judgment.
In the Gandharva confrontation, different attackers target different parts of the chariot—parasol, protective gear, and bindings—until, with thousands acting together, they smash the chariot into tiny pieces, effectively disabling the warrior’s mobility and defenses.