Shloka 17
ततः सुबाहुस्त्रिंशद्धिरद्रिसारमयै: शरै: । अविध्यदिषुभिग्गाढं किरीटे सव्यसाचिनम्,तदनन्तर सुबाहुने लोहेके बने हुए तीस बाणोंद्वारा अर्जुनके किरीटमें गहरा आघात किया
tataḥ subāhus triṁśadbhir adrisāramayaiḥ śaraiḥ | avidhyad iṣubhir gāḍhaṁ kirīṭe savyasācinam ||
Sañjaya said: Then Subāhu, with thirty arrows fashioned of mountain-hard essence, struck the ambidextrous Arjuna, driving the shafts deep into his crown. The moment reveals the battle’s relentless intensity, where prowess and endurance are tested without pause, even as each warrior remains bound to his chosen duty (dharma) on the field.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of dharma-yuddha: warriors endure severe blows while remaining steadfast in their role and discipline. It emphasizes resilience and the uncompromising momentum of battle rather than a doctrinal sermon.
Sañjaya reports that Subāhu shoots thirty extremely hard arrows and strikes Arjuna, lodging them deeply in Arjuna’s crown/diadem—an image of a powerful, concentrated attack against a foremost warrior.