Shloka 6
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
तेषां चापभुजोत्सृष्टा शरवृष्टिविशाम्पते । आच्छादयद् दिश: सर्वा धारा इव पयोमुच:
teṣāṃ cāpabhujotsṛṣṭā śaravṛṣṭi-viśāṃpate | ācchādayad diśaḥ sarvā dhārā iva payomucaḥ, prajānātha |
Sañjaya said: O lord of men, O protector of the people—the rain of arrows released by those warriors through the power of their bows and arms covered all directions, just as streams of water from rain-clouds veil the whole sky on every side.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily conveys the scale and inevitability of violence once war is fully engaged: human skill and aggression can become as pervasive as a natural storm. Ethically, it invites reflection on how quickly conflict can overwhelm all ‘directions’—all options and avenues—leaving little room for restraint.
Sañjaya describes an intense exchange in battle: warriors release such a dense volley of arrows that the sky in every direction seems covered, compared to rain-clouds pouring sheets of water.