Shloka 21
अध्याय २९: कर्णस्य शल्यं प्रति शापस्मरणं च युद्धनिश्चयः | Chapter 29: Karṇa recalls curses to Śalya and declares resolve for battle
ततो द्रौणेर्धनुश्छित्त्वा हत्वा चाश्वरथान् शरै: | कृपस्यापि तदत्युग्रं धनुश्चिच्छेद पाण्डव:
tato drauṇer dhanuś chittvā hatvā cāśvarathān śaraiḥ | kṛpasyāpi tad atyugraṃ dhanuś ciccheda pāṇḍavaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna), having cut down Droṇa’s son’s bow and having slain his horses and chariot with arrows, also shattered the exceedingly formidable bow of Kṛpa. The scene underscores Arjuna’s disciplined mastery in battle—neutralizing weapons and mobility to restrain the enemy’s capacity for harm rather than indulging in mere slaughter.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, effective action can be guided by discipline and restraint: by disabling weapons and mobility (bows, chariots, horses), a warrior can reduce harm and control the battle’s escalation while still fulfilling kṣatriya-duty.
Arjuna first cuts Aśvatthāman’s bow, then destroys his chariot and horses with arrows, and subsequently breaks Kṛpa’s very formidable bow as well—rapidly disarming key opponents on the battlefield.