Shloka 122
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
निकृत्तयन्त्रा निहतेन्द्रकीला ध्वजा महान्तो ध्वजिनीमुखेषु । पदातिसड्घाश्न रथाश्न संख्ये हयाश्न नागाश्व धनंजयेन
nikṛttayantrā nihatendrākīlā dhvajā mahānto dhvajinīmukheṣu | padātisaṅghāś ca rathāś ca saṅkhye hayāś ca nāgāś ca dhanañjayena ||
三阇耶说：在军阵前沿，那些大旗的绳索被斩断，中央的因陀罗钉（indra-kīla，主固销）被击碎，旗帜遂被撕裂而坠落。那一战中，因陀罗之胜者檀那ंज耶（阿周那）的箭矢所及，成群步兵、车战者、战马与战象迅速中创，身躯不支，纷纷倒伏于地。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the overwhelming, almost impersonal force of warfare—especially when empowered by superior weapons—where external protections (armor, standards, formations) quickly fail. Ethically, it points to the heavy responsibility of kṣatriya action: martial excellence brings victory, yet it also multiplies suffering, reminding the listener that power in war carries grave moral weight.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) devastating the opposing forces: banners in the vanguard collapse as their fastenings are severed, and infantry, chariot-fighters, horses, and elephants are struck by Arjuna’s arrows and fall on the battlefield.