Shloka 25
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 17 — Śālva’s encampment and the Yādava counter-engagement at Dvārakā
स तैरभिहतो बाणैर्बहुभिस्तेन मोहित: । निश्चेष्ट: कौरवश्रेष्ठ प्रद्युम्नो5भूद् रणाजिरे,कौरवश्रेष्ठ! इस प्रकार बहुत-से बाणोंसे आहत होनेके कारण प्रद्युम्न उस रणांगणमें मूर्च्छित एवं निश्चेष्ट हो गये
sa tair abhihato bāṇair bahubhis tena mohitaḥ | niśceṣṭaḥ kauravaśreṣṭha pradyumno 'bhūd raṇājire ||
Struck by many arrows, he was overwhelmed and fell into a stupor. Thus, O best of the Kurus, Pradyumna became senseless and motionless on the battlefield—showing how, in war, even the mighty can be brought low when assailed in great numbers.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of battle: strength and valor can be neutralized when one is overwhelmed by many attacks. It implicitly cautions against pride and highlights the fragility of embodied life even for renowned heroes.
Vāyudeva reports that Pradyumna, having been struck by numerous arrows, becomes stunned, loses consciousness, and lies motionless on the battlefield, while the speaker addresses the listener as 'best of the Kurus.'