Shloka 3
कर्णवधार्थं धनञ्जयस्य प्रतिज्ञा — Arjuna’s resolve for Karṇa’s defeat
संशप्तकास्तु समरे शरवृष्टी: समन्ततः । अपातयन् पार्थमूर्थश्नि जयगृद्धा: प्रमन््यव:
saṁśaptakās tu samare śaravṛṣṭīḥ samantataḥ | apātayan pārtham ūrdhvaśni jayagṛddhāḥ pramanyavaḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: Mitten im Kampf begannen die Saṁśaptakas—von wilder Wut entbrannt und nach Sieg gierig—Arjuna von allen Seiten mit einem Pfeilregen zu überschütten, der bis zu seinem Haupt hinaufzielte.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how vows, ambition for victory, and uncontrolled anger can escalate violence. It implicitly contrasts mere victory-seeking with the ethical ideal of disciplined courage—suggesting that inner restraint is as crucial as martial skill in dharma-centered warfare.
During the battle, the Saṁśaptakas surround Arjuna and unleash a concentrated barrage of arrows from all directions, aiming high toward his head, attempting to overwhelm him through sheer intensity and numbers.