Shloka 10
Pāṇḍya-vadha-anantaram Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Response and the Renewed Battle
सुकल्पिता: स्यन्दनवाजिनागा: समास्थिता: कृतयत्नैर्नवीरै: । पार्थेरितैर्बाणशतैर्निरस्ता- स्तैरेव सार्थ नृवरैनिपितु:
sukalpitāḥ syandanavājināgāḥ samāsthitāḥ kṛtayatnair navīraiḥ | pārtheritair bāṇaśatair nirastās tair eva sārtha nṛvarair nipetuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: The well-equipped chariots, horses, and elephants stood ready, mounted by fresh heroes exerting themselves in battle. Yet, struck by hundreds of arrows released by Pārtha (Arjuna), those very vehicles—together with the noble warriors upon them—were hurled back and fell to the ground.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of worldly strength in war: even well-prepared forces and brave fighters can be instantly undone by superior martial skill. Ethically, it points to the harsh reality of kṣatriya conflict—valor and effort do not guarantee survival, and outcomes often hinge on mastery and circumstance.
Sañjaya describes a battlefield moment where well-equipped chariots, horses, and elephants, mounted by eager warriors, are struck by Arjuna’s volleys of arrows. The vehicles and their riders are overthrown together, emphasizing Arjuna’s overwhelming effectiveness.