Shloka 31
भीष्मस्य जलप्रार्थना — अर्जुनस्य पर्जन्यास्त्रप्रयोगः — दुर्योधनं प्रति सन्ध्युपदेशः
Bhīṣma’s request for water; Arjuna’s Parjanya-astra; counsel to Duryodhana on reconciliation
कृपं च नवभिर्बाणैर्भृशं विद्ध्वा समन्तत: । प्राग्ज्योतिषं शतैराजी राजन् विव्याध सायकै:
kṛpaṃ ca navabhir bāṇair bhṛśaṃ viddhvā samantataḥ | prāgjyotiṣaṃ śatair ājau rājan vivyādha sāyakaiḥ ||
Sañjaya dijo: Oh rey, Bhīmasena, colmado de ira, hirió gravemente a Kṛpa por todos los flancos con nueve flechas; y luego, en pleno fragor del combate, atravesó al señor de Prāgjyotiṣa, Bhagadatta, con centenares de saetas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the intensity of kṣatriya warfare: skill and courage operate within a grim ethical landscape where duty and anger can amplify violence. It invites reflection on how righteous duty (dharma) in war still carries moral gravity and consequences.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that in the battle Bhīma severely wounds Kṛpa with nine arrows from all sides and then showers the king of Prāgjyotiṣa, Bhagadatta, with hundreds of arrows.