Shloka 37
Śiva’s Battlefield Manifestation and Vyāsa’s Śatarudrīya Exposition (शिवप्रादुर्भावः शतरुद्रीयव्याख्यानम्)
अर्जुन: शकुनेश्चापं सायकैरच्छिनद् रणे
arjunaḥ śakuneścāpaṃ sāyakair acchinad raṇe
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, Arjuna severed Śakuni’s bow with his arrows—an act that shows disciplined martial skill and the ethical aim of disabling an opponent’s power to harm rather than indulging in needless cruelty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined force in warfare: a righteous warrior may aim to neutralize an enemy’s capacity to cause harm (by disabling weapons) rather than acting from rage or cruelty. It underscores skill guided by restraint within kṣatriya-dharma.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, during the battle, strikes with such precision that he severs Śakuni’s bow using his arrows, temporarily disarming him and shifting the tactical balance in that encounter.