Shloka 9
Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba
विस्फूर्ज्य रुचिरं चापं सर्वान् विव्याध सायकै: । कर्णादीन् षड्रथान् वीरस्तावद्भिर्युगपत् पृथक् ॥ ९ ॥ चतुर्भिश्चतुरो वाहानेकैकेन च सारथीन् । रथिनश्च महेष्वासांस्तस्य तत्तेऽभ्यपूजयन् ॥ १० ॥
visphūrjya ruciraṁ cāpaṁ sarvān vivyādha sāyakaiḥ karṇādīn ṣaḍ rathān vīras tāvadbhir yugapat pṛthak
Twanging his splendid bow, the heroic Sāmba pierced with arrows the six chariot-warriors headed by Karṇa. At once he struck the six chariots with six arrows, each team of four horses with four arrows, each charioteer with a single arrow, and likewise the great bowmen commanding the chariots; even the foes praised this display of prowess.
Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “While Sāmba was so diligently fighting alone with the six great warriors, they all appreciated the inconceivable potency of the boy. Even in the midst of fighting, they admitted frankly that this boy Sāmba was wonderful.”
FAQs
It describes a heroic archer twanging his splendid bow and instantly striking multiple chariot-warriors—Karṇa and others—at once, each with separate arrows, showing extraordinary martial prowess.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating the events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
It highlights focused skill and presence of mind—acting decisively without confusion, even when facing many challenges at once.