Shloka 10
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 29 — Arjuna’s defeat of Vṛṣaka–Acalā and the neutralization of Śakuni’s māyā
ततः प्राग्ज्योतिष: शक्ति हेमदण्डामयस्मयीम् । व्यसृजद् वासुदेवाय द्विधा तामर्जुनो5च्छिनत्,तब भगदत्तने वसुदेवनन्दन श्रीकृष्णको लक्ष्य करके सुवर्णमय दण्डसे युक्त लोहमयी शक्ति चलायी। परंतु अर्जुनने उसके दो टुकड़े कर डाले
tataḥ prāgjyotiṣaḥ śaktiṃ hemadaṇḍām ayasmayīm | vyasṛjad vāsudevāya dvidhā tām arjuno 'cchinat ||
Sañjaya said: Then Bhagadatta, the king of Prāgjyotiṣa, hurled at Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) a mighty spear made of iron and fitted with a golden shaft. But Arjuna, ever watchful in protecting Kṛṣṇa, cut that weapon into two. The moment underscores the warrior’s duty to shield the one entrusted to him and the disciplined restraint by which skill is used to avert harm rather than to indulge in cruelty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma as protective responsibility: Arjuna’s excellence is shown not merely in attack but in preventing harm to the one under his care (Kṛṣṇa as his charioteer). Skill and strength are ethically directed toward safeguarding life and fulfilling duty.
Bhagadatta of Prāgjyotiṣa throws an iron spear with a golden shaft at Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva). Arjuna intercepts and slices the missile into two, neutralizing the threat before it can strike.