Shloka 16
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
स च्छिन्नधन्वा विरथ: खड्गमादाय चर्म च
sa cchinnadhanvā virathaḥ khaḍgam ādāya carma ca
قال سنجيا: لما قُطع قوسُه وصار بلا مركبةٍ حربية، تناول سيفًا وترسًا. ففي زحمة القتال، حين تُحطَّم الوسائل المألوفة، يُمتحَن عزمُ المحارب—عليه أن يتكيّف من غير أن يترك الشجاعةَ والواجب، بينما يُنذر المشهدُ بتصاعدٍ كئيبٍ إلى قتالٍ متلاحم.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in one’s role: when a warrior loses his primary weapon and chariot, he must still meet the moment with courage and presence of mind, adapting his means while continuing his duty amid crisis.
In Sañjaya’s battlefield report, a combatant has his bow cut and becomes chariotless; he immediately switches to close-quarters arms by taking up a sword and a shield.