Shloka 45
Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation
मद्रराजेन बलिना लाघवाच्छरवृश्टिभि: । चाल्यमान तु तं॑ दृष्टवा पाण्डवानां बलार्णवम्
madrarājena balinā lāghavāc charavṛṣṭibhiḥ | cālyamānaṃ tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavānāṃ balārṇavam ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing that vast ocean of the Pāṇḍavas’ forces being shaken by the mighty king of Madra—who, with swift skill, poured down showers of arrows—
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in its battlefield frame: disciplined skill (lāghava) and steadfast leadership can momentarily shake even a vast force; power is shown not only by numbers but by focused prowess and resolve.
Sañjaya describes Śalya, king of Madra, striking with rapid volleys of arrows. His assault causes the immense Pāṇḍava host—likened to an ocean—to waver and be thrown into motion under the pressure of his attack.