Shloka 173
Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation
युधिष्ठिरमथाविध्यद् दशभिर्निशितै: शरै: । समरांगणमें धर्मपुत्रके बाणोंसे आच्छादित होते हुए शल्यने युधिष्ठिरको दस पैने बाणोंसे बींध डाला
yudhiṣṭhiram athāvidhyad daśabhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ |
Sañjaya sprach: Dann traf Śalya Yudhiṣṭhira mit zehn scharfen Pfeilen. Selbst während der Sohn des Dharma das Schlachtfeld mit seinen eigenen Geschossen bedeckte, durchbohrte Śalya ihn mit zehn Pfeilen—ein Bild unerbittlicher kriegerischer Entschlossenheit, in dem gerechtes Königtum Verletzung ertragen muss, ohne Standhaftigkeit und Pflicht preiszugeben.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma: steadfastness under attack and the acceptance of hardship while remaining committed to one’s duty. Even a dharmic ruler like Yudhiṣṭhira must face violence in war without losing composure or purpose.
During the battle, Śalya shoots Yudhiṣṭhira with ten sharp arrows. The context implies an exchange of missiles—Yudhiṣṭhira’s arrows are being met and countered as Śalya lands a direct, forceful strike.