Shloka 8
Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
अश्वत्थामा तु हार्दिक्यमपोवाह यशस्विनम् । अथ शारद्वतोइश् शभि: प्रत्यविद्धयद् युधिष्ठिरम्,तब अभश्व॒त्थामा यशस्वी कृतवर्माकों अपने रथपर बिठाकर अन्यत्र हटा ले गया। तदनन्तर कृपाचार्यने आठ बाणोंसे राजा युधिष्ठिरको बींध डाला
aśvatthāmā tu hārdikyam apovāha yaśasvinam | atha śāradvatō ’ṣṭabhiḥ pratyaviddhayad yudhiṣṭhiram ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Aśvatthāmā se llevó entonces del campo al ilustre Kṛtavarmā, hijo de Hṛdīka, haciéndolo subir a su carro. Después, Kṛpa, hijo de Śaradvat, hirió al rey Yudhiṣṭhira con ocho flechas.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral strain of war: even while acting out of loyalty and tactical necessity (rescuing or withdrawing an ally), warriors simultaneously inflict harm on a king identified with dharma. It invites reflection on how duty in battle can conflict with broader ethical ideals and how consequences unfold regardless of personal virtue.
Aśvatthāmā removes Kṛtavarmā from immediate danger or from the combat zone. Immediately after, Kṛpa (Śāradvata) shoots Yudhiṣṭhira with eight arrows, continuing the fierce engagement in the Shalya Parva battle sequence.