Shloka 4
Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure
Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin
भल््लै: क्षुरैरर्धचन्द्रैर्वत्सदन्तैश्व पाण्डव: । चिच्छेदामित्रवीराणां समरे प्रतियुध्यताम्
sañjaya uvāca |
bhallaiḥ kṣuraiḥ ardhacandraiḥ vatsadantaiś ca pāṇḍavaḥ |
ciccheda amitravīrāṇāṃ samare pratiyudhyatām ||
قال سَنْجَايَا: في غمرة القتال، قطع الباندَفيّ (أرجونا) أبطالَ العدو وهم يردّون القتال، مستخدمًا سهامَ bhalla وkṣura وardhacandra وvatsadanta. وبهذه المقاذيف الحادّة بتر الخيولَ المقرونة بالعربات، والسُّوّاق، والرايات، والأقواسَ والنبالَ والسيوف؛ وقطع الأيدي وما تمسكه من سلاح، والأذرع، بل والرؤوس أيضًا—صورةٌ لمهارةٍ حربيةٍ لا تعرف التراخي.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrible efficiency of warfare: extraordinary skill can fulfill kṣatriya-duty in battle, yet it also reveals the moral weight of violence—victory is achieved through decisive, often gruesome action against living beings and their supports (horses, drivers, weapons).
Sañjaya describes Arjuna’s battlefield dominance: using specialized cutting arrows, he disables and destroys the enemy’s fighting capacity by severing horses, charioteers, banners, bows, weapons, limbs, and heads of opposing warriors who are actively resisting.