Shloka 111
प्रमुखे वृष्णिसिंहस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मन: । ततो राजन् शिलाधौतान् शरान् शाखामृगध्वज:
pramukhe vṛṣṇisiṁhasya pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ | tato rājan śilādhautān śarān śākhāmṛgadhvajaḥ
Sañjaya said: “In the very forefront, before the lion among the Vṛṣṇis and the great-souled Pārtha, then, O King, Śākhāmṛgadhvaja loosed arrows as though whetted upon stone.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the epic’s ethical frame of dharma-yuddha through vivid narration: even amid ferocious combat, actions are observed and reported with attention to valor, restraint, and the recognized stature of opponents (Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna), reminding the listener that war is judged not only by outcome but by conduct and worthiness of those engaged.
Sañjaya describes a moment on the battlefield where, in the presence and at the front line near Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, a warrior referred to as Śākhāmṛgadhvaja releases sharp, stone-whetted arrows—signaling an intense exchange of missiles in the Drona Parva battle sequence.