Shloka 15
हयाश्व पर्यधावन्त मुक्तयोक््त्रास्ततस्तत: । तद् दृष्टवा कर्म पार्थस्य द्रौणिराहवशोभिन:,अवाकिरुत्ततो द्रौणि: समन्तान्निशितै: शरै: । घोड़ोंके बन्धन खुल गये और वे चारों ओर दौड़ लगाने लगे। युद्धमें शोभा पानेवाले अर्जुनका वह पराक्रम देखकर पराक्रमी द्रोणकुमार अश्वत्थामा तुरंत उनके पास आ गया और अपने सुवर्ण-भूषित विशाल धनुषको हिलाते हुए उसने विजयी वीरोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुनको पैने बाणोंद्वारा सब ओरसे ढक दिया
hayāśvā paryadhāvanta muktayoktrāstatastataḥ | tad dṛṣṭvā karma pārthasya drauṇir āhavaśobhinaḥ, avākiruttato drauṇiḥ samantān niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ |
Sañjaya said: The horses, their yokes and harness loosened, began to run about in all directions. Seeing that deed of Pārtha (Arjuna)—so splendid in the press of battle—Drauṇi (Aśvatthāmā), the son of Droṇa, swiftly came up and, from every side, showered Arjuna with sharp arrows, seeking to check his prowess amid the righteous yet devastating demands of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly battlefield conditions shift: a moment of disruption (horses breaking loose) is met by immediate tactical response. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya world where valor and counter-valor operate within the harsh logic of war—prowess invites challenge, and duty compels engagement even when the consequences are severe.
The horses, freed from their harness, scatter in different directions. Observing Arjuna’s striking action amid the battle, Aśvatthāmā (Drauṇi) rushes toward him and attacks by surrounding him with a dense shower of sharp arrows from all sides.