Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 34
द्वैपायनह्रदे दुर्योधनान्वेषणम् / The Search for Duryodhana at Dvaipāyana Lake
सुबलस्य हते पुत्रे सवाजिरथकुज्जरे । महावनमिव च्छिन्नम भवत् तावकं॑ बलम्,घोड़े, रथ और हाथियोंसहित सुबलपुत्रके मारे जानेपर आपकी सेना कटे हुए विशाल वनके समान प्रतीत होती थी
subalasya hate putre savājirathakuñjare | mahāvanam iva chinnam abhavat tāvakaṁ balam ||
三阇耶说：当苏婆罗之子被杀——连同马、车与象——陛下的军队宛如一片被砍伐殆尽的巨林，力量骤减，阵序亦因一位关键勇士的陨落而崩散。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of worldly power in war: an army’s apparent might can collapse swiftly when a pivotal figure falls. It also reflects the ethical gravity of battle—victory and defeat hinge not only on numbers but on the loss of key leaders, reminding the listener of impermanence and the high cost of adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that after Subala’s son (Śakuni) is killed, the Kaurava forces—despite their horses, chariots, and elephants—look devastated, compared to a great forest that has been felled. The simile conveys sudden disarray and diminished morale following Śakuni’s death.