Shloka 23
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ७२: सैन्यगुणवर्णनम्, व्यूहरक्षा, दैव-पुरुषकारचिन्ता
शैनेयं तु रणे क्रुद्धों भारद्वाज: प्रतापवान् | अविध्यन्निशितैर्बाणिर्जत्रुदेशे हसन्निव,प्रतापी द्रोणाचार्यने युद्धमें कुपित होकर सात्यकिके गलेकी हँसलीमें हँसते हुए-से पैने बाणोंद्वारा प्रहार किया
śaineyaṁ tu raṇe kruddho bhāradvājaḥ pratāpavān | avidhyanniśitair bāṇair jatrudeśe hasann iva ||
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, the mighty Bhāradvāja (Droṇācārya), inflamed with wrath, struck Śaineya (Sātyaki) with sharp arrows at the region of the collarbone and neck-joint, as though laughing.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh moral atmosphere of war: anger and prowess can make violence appear effortless, even ‘smiling.’ It invites reflection on how martial excellence, when driven by wrath, can harden the heart and turn battle into a display of ruthless confidence rather than righteous restraint.
Sañjaya describes Droṇācārya (called Bhāradvāja) becoming enraged in battle and striking Sātyaki (called Śaineya) with sharp arrows aimed at the collarbone/neck-joint region, doing so as if laughing—signaling dominance and intensity in the duel.