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Shloka 413

कर्णस्य दानप्रतिज्ञा–शल्योपदेश–वाक्ययुद्धम्

Karna’s Gift-Vows, Shalya’s Counsel, and the Battle of Words

कबन्धान्युत्थितानि स्यु: शतशो5थ सहस्रश: । इस प्रकार जब सभी योद्धा युद्धमें लगे थे और तुमुल संग्राम चल रहा था, उस समय सैकड़ों और हजारों कबन्ध (धड़) उठ खड़े हुए थे

kabandhāny utthitāni syuḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ |

三阇耶说道:在那喧嚣动荡的战场上,诸勇士尽皆投入厮杀之时,竟有数百——乃至数千——无首之躯起而直立,这是战争暴烈失控的凶兆,也昭示当忿怒遮蔽正法(dharma)之际,有形生命所付出的可怖代价。

कबन्धानिtrunks (headless bodies)
कबन्धानि:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootकबन्ध
FormNeuter, Nominative, Plural
उत्थितानिrisen up / stood up
उत्थितानि:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootउत्-स्था
FormPast passive participle (kta), Neuter, Nominative, Plural
स्युःwould be / might be
स्युः:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootअस्
FormOptative (Vidhi-lin), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada
शतशःby hundreds / in hundreds
शतशः:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootशत
अथand then / moreover
अथ:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ
सहस्रशःby thousands / in thousands
सहस्रशः:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootसहस्र

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
K
kabandha (headless trunks)

Educational Q&A

The verse underscores the dehumanizing momentum of war: when conflict escalates beyond restraint, the battlefield becomes a place where life is reduced to severed bodies and terrifying spectacle—prompting reflection on the ethical gravity of violence and the need for dharmic restraint.

Sañjaya describes the height of the fighting: amid the roaring, chaotic combat, so many warriors are cut down that headless trunks are seen rising and moving about—an intense visual meant to convey the scale of slaughter.