Shloka 8
Daśame’hani Bhīṣma-yuddham — Śikhaṇḍī-rakṣaṇa, Arjuna-prabhāva, Duryodhana-āśraya-vākyam
ततोर्र्जुनं रणे द्रोण: शरैः संनतपर्वभि: । छादयामास राजेन्द्र नचिरादेव भारत,भरतनन्दन! राजेन्द्र! तब द्रोणाचार्यने युद्धमें झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणोंसे अर्जुनको शीघ्र ही आच्छादित कर दिया
tato 'rjunaṃ raṇe droṇaḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ | chādayāmāsa rājendra nacirād eva bhārata ||
Sanjaya said: Then, in the thick of battle, Droṇa swiftly covered Arjuna with arrows whose joints were bent—so quickly, O king, O descendant of Bharata.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of dharma-yuddha: skill, discipline, and resolve are continually tested. Even a righteous warrior must endure overwhelming force without losing steadiness, reflecting the kṣatriya ideal of perseverance under pressure.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Droṇa, in battle, rapidly showers Arjuna with a dense volley of well-made arrows, effectively enveloping him and intensifying the combat.