Shloka 8
Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
अश्वत्थामा तु हार्दिक्यमपोवाह यशस्विनम् । अथ शारद्वतोइश् शभि: प्रत्यविद्धयद् युधिष्ठिरम्
aśvatthāmā tu hārdikyam apovāha yaśasvinam | atha śāradvatō ’ṣṭabhiḥ pratyaviddhayad yudhiṣṭhiram ||
Sañjaya sprach: Daraufhin brachte Aśvatthāmā den ruhmreichen Kṛtavarmā, den Sohn Hṛdīkas, auf seinen Wagen und führte ihn an einen anderen Ort. Danach traf Kṛpa, der Sohn Śaradvatās, König Yudhiṣṭhira mit acht Pfeilen.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral strain of war: even while acting out of loyalty and tactical necessity (rescuing or withdrawing an ally), warriors simultaneously inflict harm on a king identified with dharma. It invites reflection on how duty in battle can conflict with broader ethical ideals and how consequences unfold regardless of personal virtue.
Aśvatthāmā removes Kṛtavarmā from immediate danger or from the combat zone. Immediately after, Kṛpa (Śāradvata) shoots Yudhiṣṭhira with eight arrows, continuing the fierce engagement in the Shalya Parva battle sequence.