Shloka 21
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Anxiety and Bhīṣma’s Theological Explanation of Pāṇḍava Invincibility
Book 6, Chapter 61
गजारोहा हयारोहान् पातयाज्चक्रिरे तदा । हयारोहा गजस्थांश्व तदद्भुतमिवा भवत्,हाथीसवार घुड़सवारोंको और घुड़सवार हाथी-सवारोंको युद्धस्थलमें गिरा देते थे। ये घटनाएँ आश्षर्यजनक-सी प्रतीत होती थीं
sañjaya uvāca | gajārohā hayārohān pātayāñ cakrire tadā | hayārohā gajasthāṃś ca tad adbhutam ivābhavat |
三阇耶说道：当时，象骑使马骑坠落，马骑又反过来击倒立于象背之人。战场上骑乘武士彼此倾覆，几乎令人称奇——那是由凶猛技艺与战争险厄所铸成的、令人敬畏的景象。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrifying reciprocity of warfare: prowess and vulnerability coexist, and even impressive feats can appear 'wondrous' while remaining rooted in destruction. It implicitly cautions that admiration of martial spectacle should not obscure the human cost and peril inherent in battle.
Sañjaya describes a moment in the Kurukṣetra war where elephant-mounted warriors knock down horsemen, and horsemen counter by bringing down those on elephants. The rapid reversals and skillful strikes make the scene seem astonishing.