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Shloka 386

भल्लाभ्यां भृशतीक्ष्णाभ्यां चिच्छेद धनुषी तयो: । महाराज! तब आचार्य द्रोणने क्रोध और अमर्षसे युक्त हो दो अत्यन्त तीखे भल्लोंद्वारा उन दोनोंके धनुष काट डाले

sañjaya uvāca | bhallābhyāṃ bhṛśatīkṣṇābhyāṃ ciccheda dhanuṣī tayoḥ | mahārāja! tadā ācāryo droṇaḥ krodha-amārṣa-yuktaḥ dvābhyām atyantatīkṣṇābhyāṃ bhallābhyāṃ tayor dhanuṣī chittvā ||

Sañjaya dit : Ô Roi, alors le précepteur Droṇa—saisi de colère et d’une indignation intolérante—trancha les deux arcs de ces guerriers d’une paire de flèches bhalla d’une acuité extrême. L’acte montre que, dans la fournaise du combat, la maîtrise des armes n’est pas portée seulement par l’adresse, mais aussi par des passions montantes qui durcissent la volonté et accroissent la violence.

भल्लाभ्याम्with two arrows (bhallas)
भल्लाभ्याम्:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootभल्ल
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Dual
भृशतीक्ष्णाभ्याम्with two very sharp (ones)
भृशतीक्ष्णाभ्याम्:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootभृशतीक्ष्ण
FormMasculine, Instrumental, Dual
चिच्छेदcut / severed
चिच्छेद:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootछिद्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada
धनुषीthe two bows
धनुषी:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootधनुस्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Dual
तयोःof those two
तयोः:
Adhikarana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine/Neuter, Genitive, Dual

संजय उवाच

S
Sanjaya
D
Dhritarashtra (Mahārāja)
D
Drona
B
bhalla arrows
B
bows (dhanuṣ)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how formidable skill in warfare can be intensified by inner states like anger and indignation; ethically, it invites reflection on the danger of krodha (wrath) in decision-making, even when one is highly capable and acting within the battlefield role.

Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Drona, provoked and enraged, uses two razor-sharp bhalla arrows to cut the bows of two opposing warriors, disabling their ability to fight effectively for the moment.