Shloka 1
(दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके २ श्लोक मिलाकर कुल ५० श्लोक हैं।) अपन क्ाा छा 2 चतुर्दशो 5 ध्याय: अर्जुन और अभ्वत्थामाका युद्ध तथा पांचाल वीर सुरथका वध संजय उवाच अर्जुनो द्रौणिना विद्धो युद्धे बहुभिरायसै: । तस्य चानुचरै: शूरैस्त्रिगर्तानां महारथै:,संजय कहते हैं--महाराज! दूसरी ओर द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थामा तथा उसके पीछे चलनेवाले त्रिगर्तदेशीय शूरवीर महारथियोंने अर्जुनको लोहेके बने हुए बहुत-से बाणोंद्वारा घायल कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca | arjuno drauṇinā viddho yuddhe bahubhir āyasaiḥ | tasya cānucaraiḥ śūrais trigartānāṃ mahārathaiḥ ||
Sanjaya said: O King, in the thick of battle Arjuna was struck by the son of Droṇa, Aśvatthāmā, with many iron-tipped arrows; and he was also assailed by Aśvatthāmā’s attendant heroes—the great chariot-warriors of the Trigartas. The verse casts the moment as a concentrated onslaught against a principal defender of the Pāṇḍava cause, highlighting the relentless, collective pressure typical of late-war engagements.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical pressure of kṣatriya warfare: even the foremost hero must endure coordinated attacks without abandoning resolve. It also hints at the moral complexity of war—strength is often exercised through alliances and massed force, not only single combat, testing steadiness (dhṛti) and discernment amid violence.
Sanjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna is being heavily struck in battle—first by Aśvatthāmā (Droṇa’s son) with many iron arrows, and then by Aśvatthāmā’s accompanying Trigarta great chariot-warriors, indicating a concentrated offensive against Arjuna.