Shloka 25
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
दुर्योधनश्चतुःषष्ट्या शल्यश्ल नवभि: शरै: । सैन्धवो नवभिश्लैव शकुनिश्चापि पञ्चभि:
sañjaya uvāca |
duryodhanaś catuḥṣaṣṭyā śalyāñ śarair navabhiḥ | saindhavo navabhiś caiva śakuniś cāpi pañcabhiḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Duryodhana frappa Śalya de soixante-quatre flèches ; le roi du Sindhu (Jayadratha) de même, de neuf ; et Śakuni aussi, de cinq. Ce récit montre que, dans la fureur du combat, même des alliés peuvent être poussés à s’assaillir — effondrement de l’éthique né de la confusion, de l’orgueil et de l’élan dévorant de la guerre.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war’s chaos and the dominance of anger and pride can erode discernment, leading to ethically disastrous acts—even against one’s own side—illustrating the Mahābhārata’s warning about adharma multiplying through violence.
Sañjaya reports a moment in the battle where Duryodhana shoots Śalya with sixty-four arrows, while Jayadratha (Saindhava) shoots him with nine and Śakuni with five, emphasizing the intensity and confusion of the fighting.