Shloka 29
Duryodhana Seeks Droṇa’s Counsel; Imperative to Protect Jayadratha; Pāñcāla Assault on Duryodhana
ततो<स्य निशितैर्बाणै: सुमुक्तैरन््तकोपमै: । हयांश्वकार निर्देहानुभौ च पार्ष्णिसारथी,तदनन्तर अर्जुनने अच्छी तरह छोड़े हुए कालोपम तीखे बाणोंद्वारा दुर्योधनके चारों घोड़ों और दोनों पृष्ठ-रक्षकोंको मार डाला
tato 'sya niśitair bāṇaiḥ sumuktair antakopamaiḥ | hayāṃś cākāra nirdehān ubhau ca pārṣṇisārathī ||
Sañjaya sprach: Daraufhin streckte Arjuna mit rasiermesserscharfen, wohlgelösten Pfeilen, schrecklich wie der Tod selbst, Duryodhanas vier Pferde nieder und ebenso die beiden Wächter am Heck des Wagens, sodass sie leblos dalagen. Nach der harten Ethik des Schlachtfeldes zielt dies darauf, Beweglichkeit und Schutz des Feindes zu brechen, nicht bloß persönlichen Hass auszuleben—doch es steigert zugleich die unerbittliche Gewalt des Krieges.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh logic of kṣatriya warfare: victory often depends on disabling the opponent’s chariot—its horses and protective attendants—showing how strategy and duty can drive actions that are ethically weighty even when not motivated by personal malice.
Sañjaya narrates that Arjuna shoots exceptionally sharp, deadly arrows and kills Duryodhana’s four horses and two key chariot personnel (rear-guard/protector and charioteer), effectively crippling Duryodhana’s chariot in the battle.