Shloka 20
Śiva’s Battlefield Manifestation and Vyāsa’s Śatarudrīya Exposition (शिवप्रादुर्भावः शतरुद्रीयव्याख्यानम्)
हताश्वे तु रथे तिष्ठन् पुत्रस्तव विशाम्पते । मुमोच निशितान् बाणान् शैनेयस्य रथं प्रति
hatāśve tu rathe tiṣṭhan putras tava viśāmpate | mumoca niśitān bāṇān śaineyasya rathaṃ prati ||
Sañjaya dit : Ô seigneur des peuples ! Bien que les chevaux de son char eussent été abattus, ton fils demeura ferme sur le char et décocha des flèches acérées vers le char de Śaineya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under adversity: even when the chariot’s horses are slain, the warrior continues to act. Ethically, it invites reflection on the object of one’s resolve—courage is admirable, but in the Mahābhārata it is repeatedly weighed against the righteousness (dharma) of the cause it serves.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son remains standing on a horse-less (disabled) chariot and shoots sharp arrows toward Śaineya’s chariot, continuing the combat despite a serious setback.