Shloka 39
भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103
उस समय उन पराक्रमी द्रौपदीपुत्रोंद्वारा वह श्रेष्ठ राक्षस उसी प्रकार पीड़ित होने लगा, जैसे भयानक प्रलयकाल आनेपर चन्द्रमा पाँच ग्रहोंद्वारा पीड़ित होते हैं ।।
saṃjaya uvāca | tatra teṣāṃ parākrāntaiḥ draupadīputrair mahābalaiḥ sa śreṣṭho rākṣasaḥ pīḍito babhūva, yathā pralayakāle bhayānake candramāḥ pañcagrahaiḥ pīḍyate || prativindhyas tato rakṣo bibheda niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | sarvapārśvataiḥ tūrṇair akuṇṭhāgrair mahābalaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then that foremost rākṣasa began to be sorely harried by the mighty sons of Draupadī—like the moon oppressed by five grahas when the dreadful time of cosmic dissolution draws near. Thereafter the powerful Prativindhya swiftly tore the rākṣasa apart with sharp arrows from every side—iron-hard, unblunted at the tip, and irresistible in their force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how coordinated valor and steadfast martial discipline can subdue even a fearsome adversary; it also uses cosmic imagery to convey the overwhelming pressure of righteous warriors acting together in their kṣatriya duty.
Sañjaya describes an unnamed rākṣasa being severely afflicted by Draupadī’s sons; then Prativindhya, with swift and sharp arrows from all sides, pierces and rends the rākṣasa.