Shloka 26
Saubhadra under Concentrated Assault; Pārṣata’s Intervention and Escalation
सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपातयत् | अथास्य चतुरो वाहांश्वतुर्भिनिशितै: शरै:
sārathiṁ cāsya bhallena rathanīḍād apātayat | athāsya caturo vāhān caturbhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
三阇耶说：他以一支锋利的“婆罗”（bhalla）箭，将其御者从战车座上击落；继而以四支锐箭，射倒四匹战马。于是，这位战士使整辆战车失去作用——显出战场技艺的冷酷高效：求胜不止在伤敌，更在摧毁使敌得以作战的支撑（御者与骏马）。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a harsh aspect of kṣatriya warfare: victory is pursued by disabling the opponent’s capacity to fight (driver and horses), not merely by direct duel. It invites reflection on how dharma in war often operates within a grim, rule-bound yet violent arena where skill and strategy can override compassion.
Sañjaya describes a warrior striking down the opponent’s charioteer from the chariot-seat with a bhalla-arrow, and then killing the four horses with four sharp arrows, effectively immobilizing the chariot and turning the tide of that exchange.