Shloka 47
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 29 — Arjuna’s defeat of Vṛṣaka–Acalā and the neutralization of Śakuni’s māyā
भगवान् श्रीकृष्णके कहनेसे अर्जुनने बाण मारकर भगदत्तके सिरकी पट्टी अत्यन्त छिन्न-भिन्न कर दी। उस पट्टीके कटते ही भगदत्तकी आँखें बंद हो गयीं ।। तमोमयं जगन्मेने भगदत्त: प्रतापवान् । ततक्नन्द्रार्थबिम्बेन बाणेन नतपर्वणा
sañjaya uvāca | tamomayaṃ jagan mene bhagadattaḥ pratāpavān | tatakṣa indra-artha-bimbenā bāṇena nata-parvaṇā ||
Sañjaya dit : Le puissant Bhagadatta, la vue submergée, crut que le monde entier s’était changé en ténèbres. À cet instant même, suivant l’injonction de Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna décocha une flèche à jointure recourbée et mit en pièces le bandeau qui ceignait la tête de Bhagadatta ; dès qu’il fut tranché, les yeux de Bhagadatta se fermèrent et il ne perçut plus que l’obscurité.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even great prowess can fail when perception is clouded; in dharmic warfare, disciplined action guided by clear counsel (here, Kṛṣṇa’s direction) can decisively change outcomes, while pride or reliance on mere strength leaves one vulnerable.
Sañjaya describes Bhagadatta suddenly experiencing darkness as Arjuna, following Kṛṣṇa’s instruction, shoots an arrow that cuts and shreds the head-band; once it is severed, Bhagadatta’s eyes close and his vision is obscured, marking a turning point in the duel.