Shloka 12
सो5भिमन्युं त्रिभिर्बाणैरविंद्ध्वा वक्षस्यथानदत् | त्रिभिश्ष दक्षिणे बाहौ सव्ये च निशितैस्त्रिभि:,उसने अभिमन्युकी छातीमें तीन बाण मारकर सिंहनाद किया। फिर तीन बाण दाहिनी और तीन तीखे बाण बायीं भुजामें मारे
so ’bhimanyuṁ tribhir bāṇair avindhya vakṣasy athānadat | tribhiś ca dakṣiṇe bāhau savye ca niśitais tribhiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Having pierced Abhimanyu in the chest with three arrows, he roared aloud like a lion. Then he struck again—three arrows in the right arm and three sharp arrows in the left—pressing the assault in the ruthless momentum of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: prowess and intimidation (the lion-roar) are used to break an opponent’s strength. Ethically, it underscores how battle can magnify aggression and pride, contrasting martial success with the tragic cost borne by even the most valiant.
In Sañjaya’s report of the Kurukṣetra war, an unnamed warrior strikes Abhimanyu: first three arrows to his chest, then three to his right arm and three sharp arrows to his left arm, while roaring in triumph to assert dominance.