Shloka 58
ततो धनुज्यातलबाणनि:स्वनै: प्रसहा[ कृत्वा च रिपून् हतप्रभान् । संछादयित्वा तु कुरून् शरोत्तमै: कपिध्वज: पक्षिवरध्वजश्ष
tato dhanujyātala-bāṇa-niḥsvanaiḥ prasahya kṛtvā ca ripūn hata-prabhān | saṃchādayitvā tu kurūn śarottamaiḥ kapidhvajaḥ pakṣivara-dhvajaś ca ||
Then, with the thunderous sounds of bowstrings, bow-slaps, and arrows, he forcefully reduced the enemy warriors to a dimmed splendor. And by showering the Kuru host with excellent arrows, both the monkey-bannered hero and the bird-bannered hero covered the battlefield—pressing the fight with relentless martial resolve.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the kṣatriya ethic of steadfastness and skill in battle: decisive action, disciplined force, and unwavering engagement in one’s appointed duty, even amid overwhelming violence.
Śalya describes the clash intensifying: Arjuna (monkey-bannered) and Karna (bird-bannered) unleash powerful volleys, the roar of bows and arrows filling the field as the Kuru forces are blanketed by superior missiles.