Shloka 10
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 29 — Arjuna’s defeat of Vṛṣaka–Acalā and the neutralization of Śakuni’s māyā
ततः प्राग्ज्योतिष: शक्ति हेमदण्डामयस्मयीम् । व्यसृजद् वासुदेवाय द्विधा तामर्जुनो5च्छिनत्,तब भगदत्तने वसुदेवनन्दन श्रीकृष्णको लक्ष्य करके सुवर्णमय दण्डसे युक्त लोहमयी शक्ति चलायी। परंतु अर्जुनने उसके दो टुकड़े कर डाले
tataḥ prāgjyotiṣaḥ śaktiṃ hemadaṇḍām ayasmayīm | vyasṛjad vāsudevāya dvidhā tām arjuno 'cchinat ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors Bhagadatta, roi de Prāgjyotiṣa, lança contre Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) une puissante lance de fer, munie d’un manche d’or. Mais Arjuna, toujours aux aguets pour protéger Kṛṣṇa, trancha l’arme en deux. L’instant souligne le devoir du guerrier de protéger celui qui lui est confié et la retenue disciplinée par laquelle l’adresse sert à détourner le mal plutôt qu’à se complaire dans la cruauté.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma as protective responsibility: Arjuna’s excellence is shown not merely in attack but in preventing harm to the one under his care (Kṛṣṇa as his charioteer). Skill and strength are ethically directed toward safeguarding life and fulfilling duty.
Bhagadatta of Prāgjyotiṣa throws an iron spear with a golden shaft at Kṛṣṇa (Vāsudeva). Arjuna intercepts and slices the missile into two, neutralizing the threat before it can strike.