Shloka 3
द्वैपायनह्रदे दुर्योधनान्वेषणम् / The Search for Duryodhana at Dvaipāyana Lake
शक्त्यष्टिप्रासहस्तानां सहदेवं जिघांसताम् | संकल्पमकरोन्मोघं गाण्डीवेन धनंजय:
śakty-aṣṭi-prāsa-hastānāṃ sahadevaṃ jighāṃsatām | saṅkalpam akarod moghaṃ gāṇḍīvena dhanaṃjayaḥ ||
Those warriors, weapons in hand—śaktis, aṣṭis, and prāsas—rushed forward intent on killing Sahadeva. But Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), wielding the Gāṇḍīva, rendered their resolve futile, thwarting the attempt and protecting his ally amid the press of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the ethics of epic warfare, steadfast protection of one’s ally and the timely use of skill to prevent unjust harm are presented as part of kṣatriya-dharma. Arjuna’s action exemplifies disciplined power used to avert a targeted killing.
A group of warriors armed with spears and lances charge with the intention of killing Sahadeva. Arjuna, using his bow Gāṇḍīva, counters them so effectively that their plan becomes futile.