Shloka 10
अध्याय ५३ — रणमेघोपमा सेना-वर्णना तथा सुषेण-वधोत्तर प्रतिक्रिया
Battle-as-Storm Imagery and the Aftermath of Suṣeṇa’s Fall
तमापतन्तं सहसा शरै: संनतपर्वभि: । छादयामास समरे तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्,उसे अपने ऊपर सहसा आक्रमण करते देख कृपाचार्यने झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणोंद्वारा समरांगणमें शिखण्डीको ढक दिया, यह अद्भुत-सी बात हुई
tam āpatantaṃ sahasā śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ | chādayāmāsa samare tad adbhutam ivābhavat ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing Śikhaṇḍin suddenly rushing in to strike, Kṛpācārya, in the midst of battle, covered him with arrows whose joints were bent—an action that appeared almost wondrous on the field.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the value of trained composure and prompt, proportionate response in crisis: a master of arms meets sudden aggression with controlled skill. Ethically, it reflects the battlefield ideal where duty is executed through discipline rather than panic.
Śikhaṇḍin charges suddenly; Kṛpācārya counters by releasing a dense volley of arrows, effectively covering/obscuring Śikhaṇḍin on the battlefield—an impressive display noted by Sañjaya.