Shloka 243
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
अप्राप्तानस्त्रमायाभिरग्रसत् सात्यकि: प्रभो । प्रजानाथ! प्रभो! सात्यकिने भूरिश्रवाके उन तीखे बाणोंको अपने पास आनेके पूर्व ही अपने अस्त्र-बलसे आकाश्में ही नष्ट कर दिये
aprāptān astramāyābhir agrasat sātyakiḥ prabho | prajānātha prabho sātyakine bhūriśravāke un tīkhē bāṇōṃko apane pāsa āneke pūrva hī apane astra-balase ākāśeṃ hī naṣṭa kara diye
Sañjaya said: O lord, before those sharp arrows could even reach him, Sātyaki, by the power of his weapons and counter-missiles, destroyed them in mid-air. Thus Bhūriśravā’s assault was checked, and no harm fell upon the warrior.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined martial restraint: true prowess is shown not only by striking, but by preventing harm through timely, skillful counteraction—using power to protect and neutralize danger.
Bhūriśravā launches a fierce arrow-attack, but Sātyaki intercepts and destroys the incoming missiles before they reach him, shattering them in the sky through superior weapon-skill.