Shloka 16
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
स च्छिन्नधन्वा विरथ: खड्गमादाय चर्म च
sa cchinnadhanvā virathaḥ khaḍgam ādāya carma ca
Sañjaya dit : Son arc tranché et privé de char, il saisit une épée et un bouclier. Dans la mêlée, lorsque les moyens habituels sont brisés, la résolution du guerrier est mise à l’épreuve : il doit s’adapter sans renoncer au courage ni au devoir, tandis que la scène annonce l’escalade funeste du combat rapproché.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in one’s role: when a warrior loses his primary weapon and chariot, he must still meet the moment with courage and presence of mind, adapting his means while continuing his duty amid crisis.
In Sañjaya’s battlefield report, a combatant has his bow cut and becomes chariotless; he immediately switches to close-quarters arms by taking up a sword and a shield.