Shloka 34
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
बाह्लीकं च त्रिभिणि: प्रत्यविध्यत् स्तनान्तरे । कृपमेकेन विव्याध चित्रसेनं त्रिभि: शरै:
bāhlīkaṃ ca tribhiḥ pratyavidhyat stanāntare | kṛpam ekena vivyādha citrasenaṃ tribhiḥ śaraiḥ |
Sañjaya sprach: Er traf Bāhlīka mit drei Pfeilen in die Brust und durchbohrte ihn tief. Dann verwundete er Kṛpa mit einem einzigen Pfeil, und mit drei Pfeilen durchstieß er auch Citrasena—eine ununterbrochene Folge präziser Treffer mitten im moralischen Wirrwarr der Schlacht.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield ethic of kṣatriya conduct: skill and decisiveness are shown through precise, proportionate strikes against armed opponents. It implicitly contrasts disciplined martial action with uncontrolled cruelty, reminding the listener that even in war, action is expected to follow a code of restraint and competence.
Sañjaya reports a rapid sequence of attacks: a warrior pierces Bāhlīka in the chest with three arrows, then wounds Kṛpa with one arrow, and finally pierces Citrasena with three arrows, indicating momentum and superior archery in the ongoing battle.