Mahabharata 3.21.28 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 21, Shloka 28
Dvārakā’s Distress and the Saubha Engagement (द्वारकाव्यग्रता तथा सौभयुद्धम्)
तं॑ पतन्तं महाबाहो शूलपट्टिशपाणय: । अभिष्नन्तो भृशं वीर मम चेतो हाकम्पयन्
taṁ patantaṁ mahābāho śūla-paṭṭiśa-pāṇayaḥ | abhiṣṇantō bhṛśaṁ vīra mama ceto hy akampayan ||
Ô héros aux bras puissants, tandis qu’il tombait, les soldats ennemis—portant lances et haches de guerre—le frappaient encore et encore avec une violence brutale. Cette attaque sans pitié, portée jusque dans sa chute, fit trembler mon cœur.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral shock caused by striking a warrior even as he falls—an image that questions restraint and righteousness in combat, and underscores how adharma in war disturbs even divine witnesses.
Vāyudeva describes a scene where a combatant is falling, yet enemy soldiers armed with spears and axes continue to attack him repeatedly; witnessing this, Vāyudeva’s heart trembles at the cruelty.
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