Shloka 9
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
ते तमाजध्निरे वीर॑ं निवातकवचान्तकम् | संशप्तकनिहन्तारं हन्तारं सैन्धवस्य च,निवातकवचोंका विनाश, संशप्तकोंका संहार और जयद्रथका वध करनेवाले वीर अर्जुनपर स्वैन्धवोंने सब ओरसे प्रहार आरम्भ कर दिया
te tam ājadhnire vīraṃ nivātakavacāntakam | saṃśaptakanihantāraṃ hantāraṃ saindhavasya ca ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then they began to strike at that hero Arjuna from every side—he who had brought the Nivātakavacas to their end, who had destroyed the Saṃśaptakas, and who had slain Jayadratha.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary martial deeds—especially those performed in the name of duty—also attract concentrated opposition. It reflects the ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma: righteous victory can still provoke cycles of retaliation, requiring steadiness and responsibility in the use of power.
Arjuna, renowned for earlier decisive victories (over the Nivātakavacas and the Saṃśaptakas, and for killing Jayadratha), becomes the target of a coordinated attack. The opposing warriors begin striking him from every direction.