Shloka 121
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
परीतसतत्त्वा: सहसा निपेतु: किरीटिना भिन्नतनुत्रकाया: । दृढं हता: पत्रिभिरुग्रवेगै: पार्थेन भल्लैविमलै: शिताग्रै:,राजाओंके उस भयानक संग्राममें रथ, घोड़े और सारथिसहित बड़े-बड़े वीर मारे गये। सुन्दर सुनहरे रस्सोंसे कसे हुए, बड़ी-बड़ी पताकाओंवाले हाथी नाराचोंकी मारसे पीड़ित हो शक्ति और चेतना खोकर सहसा धराशायी हो गये। कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनके भयंकर वेगवाले तीखे एवं पंखयुक्त निर्मल भल्लोंसे गहरी चोट पड़नेपर कवच और शरीर दोनोंके विदीर्ण हो जानेसे कौरव सैनिक सहसा प्राणशून्य होकर गिर जाते थे
sañjaya uvāca |
parītasatattvāḥ sahasā nipetuḥ kirīṭinā bhinnatanutrākāyāḥ |
dṛḍhaṃ hatāḥ patribhir ugravegaiḥ pārthena bhallair vimalaiḥ śitāgraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Struck down all at once, the warriors fell—their armour and bodies split open by the diademed Arjuna. Firmly slain by Pārtha’s spotless, razor-pointed bhalla arrows, winged and driven with terrible speed, they collapsed in the dreadful clash.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stark ethical tension of dharma in war: a righteous warrior’s skill can be unwavering and decisive, yet its immediate fruit is the sudden destruction of bodies and lives. It invites reflection on responsibility, restraint, and the heavy cost borne even in duty-bound combat.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna’s devastating archery on the battlefield: with swift, sharp, feathered bhalla arrows he splits armour and bodies, causing enemy fighters to lose strength and consciousness and to fall dead at once.