Shloka 18
Bhīṣma–Karṇa Saṃvāda on the Śaraśayyā (भीष्म–कर्ण संवादः शरशय्यायाम्)
(घण्टाभिश्नू कशाभिक्न समास्तीर्यत मेदिनी ।) भारत! अनेक टुकड़ोंमें कटकर गिरे हुए छत्रों, ध्वजाओं, स्वर्णमय दण्डसे विभूषित चामरों, फेंके हुए अंकुशों, चाबुकों, घण्टों और झूलोंसे वहाँकी भूमि ढक गयी थी ।।
sañjaya uvāca | keyūraiḥ aṅgadaiḥ hāraiḥ raṅkavaiḥ mṛditais tathā | kuṇḍalaiḥ maṇicittraiś ca samāstīryata medinī | uṣṇīṣaiḥ ṛṣṭibhiś caiva cāmaravyajanair api |
三阇耶说道：婆罗多啊，那里的土地被斩成碎片的华盖、旌旗、金柄牦尾拂尘、抛弃的象钩、皮鞭、铃铛与垂饰所覆盖。又有坠落的饰物遍地——臂钏、手镯、花鬘、嵌宝耳环——以及柔软的迦ṅ库鹿皮、勇士的头巾、长矛等兵刃，连同拂尘与扇具，也一并散落其间。此景昭示战争的道德沉重：当达摩以暴力争夺时，王权与人格尊严的象征也会迅速沦为尘土与残屑。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight and transience revealed by war: symbols of nobility—ornaments, turbans, and royal fans—are reduced to scattered wreckage, implying that pride and worldly splendor collapse when dharma is pursued through violent conflict.
Sañjaya describes the battlefield after intense fighting: the ground is covered with broken ornaments and equipment—armlets, bracelets, necklaces, gemmed earrings, deerskins, turbans, spears, and royal chowries and fans—showing the scale of chaos and loss.