Shloka 22
द्रोणपर्व — अध्याय १८: संशप्तकगणयुद्धे अर्जुनस्यास्त्रप्रयोगः
Drona Parva, Chapter 18: Arjuna’s astra-deployment against the Saṃśaptakas
सुधन्वनो धनुश्छित्त्वा हयांश्वास्यावधीच्छरै: । अथास्य सशिरस्त्राणं शिर: कायादपातयत्,सुधन्वाका धनुष काटकर उसके घोड़ोंको भी बाणोंसे मार डाला। फिर शिरस्त्राणसहित उसके मस्तकको भी काटकर धड़से नीचे गिरा दिया
sudhanvano dhanuś chittvā hayāṁś cāsyāvadhīc charaiḥ | athāsya saśirastrāṇaṁ śiraḥ kāyād apātayat ||
Sañjaya said: Having cut down Sudhanvan’s bow, he then slew his horses with arrows. Thereafter, he struck off Sudhanvan’s head together with its helmet, causing it to fall from the body.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: once battle is engaged, decisive action and martial competence determine survival. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between dharma as duty in war and the tragic cost of violence.
In Sanjaya’s report of the battle, a warrior (unnamed here) first disables Sudhanvan by cutting his bow, then kills his horses with arrows, and finally beheads him along with his helmet, causing the head to fall from the body.