Mahabharata (Gita Press) 3.21.28 - Vana Parva, Adhyaya 21, Shloka 28
Dvārakā’s Distress and the Saubha Engagement (द्वारकाव्यग्रता तथा सौभयुद्धम्)
तं॑ पतन्तं महाबाहो शूलपट्टिशपाणय: । अभिष्नन्तो भृशं वीर मम चेतो हाकम्पयन्
taṁ patantaṁ mahābāho śūla-paṭṭiśa-pāṇayaḥ | abhiṣṇantō bhṛśaṁ vīra mama ceto hy akampayan ||
O mighty-armed hero, as he was falling, the enemy soldiers—bearing spears and battle-axes in their hands—struck at him again and again with brutal force. That merciless assault, delivered even as he went down, made my heart tremble.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral shock caused by striking a warrior even as he falls—an image that questions restraint and righteousness in combat, and underscores how adharma in war disturbs even divine witnesses.
Vāyudeva describes a scene where a combatant is falling, yet enemy soldiers armed with spears and axes continue to attack him repeatedly; witnessing this, Vāyudeva’s heart trembles at the cruelty.
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