Shloka 173
Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation
युधिष्ठिरमथाविध्यद् दशभिर्निशितै: शरै: । समरांगणमें धर्मपुत्रके बाणोंसे आच्छादित होते हुए शल्यने युधिष्ठिरको दस पैने बाणोंसे बींध डाला
yudhiṣṭhiram athāvidhyad daśabhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ |
Sañjaya said: Then Śalya struck Yudhiṣṭhira with ten keen arrows. Even as the son of Dharma was covering the battlefield with his own shafts, Śalya pierced him—an image of relentless martial resolve where righteous kingship must endure injury without abandoning steadiness or duty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma: steadfastness under attack and the acceptance of hardship while remaining committed to one’s duty. Even a dharmic ruler like Yudhiṣṭhira must face violence in war without losing composure or purpose.
During the battle, Śalya shoots Yudhiṣṭhira with ten sharp arrows. The context implies an exchange of missiles—Yudhiṣṭhira’s arrows are being met and countered as Śalya lands a direct, forceful strike.