Shloka 23
चेदिराजो5पि समरे पौरवं पुरुषर्षभम् | आजपघान शिताग्रेण जत्रुदेशे महासिना,तब चेदिराज धृष्टकेतुने भी समरमें पुरुषरत्न पौरवके गलेकी हँसलीपर तीखी धारवाले महान् खड़्गसे गहरी चोट पहुँचायी
sañjaya uvāca | cedirājo 'pi samare pauravaṃ puruṣarṣabham | ājaghāna śitāgreṇa jatrudeśe mahāsinā ||
三阇耶说道：在激战之中，支提国王也以锋刃锐利的大剑，斩击波罗婆勇士——人中雄牛——其锁骨与颈项之处。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya-duty in war: even noble kings are compelled to engage in direct, deadly combat. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s tension between duty-bound action and the tragic cost of violence.
Sañjaya reports a specific exchange on the battlefield: the king of Cedi (Dhr̥ṣṭaketu) delivers a powerful sword-blow to a Paurava hero, striking him at the collarbone/neck region with a keen-edged great sword.