Shloka 12
Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure
Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin
ते रथास्तत्र विध्वस्ता: परार्ध्या भान्त्यनेकश: । धनिनामिव वेश्मानि हतान्यग्न्यनिलाम्बुभि:
te rathās tatra vidhvastāḥ parārdhyā bhānty anekaśaḥ | dhaninām iva veśmāni hatāny agny-anilāmbubhiḥ ||
سنجے نے کہا—وہاں بے شمار نہایت قیمتی رتھ ٹوٹ پھوٹ کر چاروں طرف بکھرے پڑے تھے؛ وہ ایسے دکھائی دیتے تھے جیسے دولت مندوں کے محل آگ، ہوا اور سیلاب سے برباد ہو گئے ہوں۔ میدانِ جنگ کی شان اسی لمحے غم کی عبرت بن گئی۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of wealth and human craftsmanship: even the most luxurious chariots become wreckage in war, like rich houses ruined by natural calamities. It implicitly cautions against pride in possessions and highlights the moral cost and leveling force of violence.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the दृश्य of the battlefield: numerous high-value chariots have been smashed and lie scattered. He uses a vivid simile—wealthy mansions destroyed by fire, wind, and flood—to convey the scale of devastation.