Shloka 20
मद्रेश्वर: क्षुरप्रेण तदा मारिष चिच्छिदे । तदशीर्यत विच्छिन्नं धनु: शल्यस्य सायकै:,माननीय नरेश! मद्रराज शल्यने युद्धस्थलमें युधिष्ठिरको तीन, भीमसेनको पाँच, सात्यकिको सौ और सहदेवको तीन बाणोंसे घायल करके महामनस्वी नकुलके बाणसहित धनुषको क्षुरप्रसे काट डाला। शल्यके बाणोंसे कटा हुआ वह धनुष टूक-टूक होकर बिखर गया
sañjaya uvāca |
madreśvaraḥ kṣurapreṇa tadā māriṣa cicchide |
tad aśīryata vicchinnaṃ dhanuḥ śalyasya sāyakaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then the lord of Madra (Śalya), O noble one, with a razor-headed arrow, cut that bow down. Severed by Śalya’s shafts, it shattered and fell apart into fragments.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a dharmic war, outcomes can turn instantly through skill and circumstance; the warrior’s duty is steadiness and resolve when one’s resources—like a bow—are suddenly destroyed.
Sañjaya reports that Śalya, the king of Madra, uses a razor-headed arrow to sever a bow; struck and cut by Śalya’s arrows, the bow breaks apart and scatters.