Shloka 25
भीष्मधनंजयद्वैरथम्
Bhīṣma–Dhanaṃjaya Duel and the Opening Clash
दुर्योधनश्चतुःषष्ट्या शल्यश्ल नवभि: शरै: । सैन्धवो नवभिश्लैव शकुनिश्चापि पञ्चभि:
sañjaya uvāca |
duryodhanaś catuḥṣaṣṭyā śalyāñ śarair navabhiḥ | saindhavo navabhiś caiva śakuniś cāpi pañcabhiḥ ||
સંજય બોલ્યો—દુર્યોધને શલ્યને ચોસઠ બાણોથી વિંધ્યો; સૈંધવ (જયદ્રથ) એ પણ નવથી, અને શકુનિએ પાંચ બાણોથી ઘાયલ કર્યો।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war’s chaos and the dominance of anger and pride can erode discernment, leading to ethically disastrous acts—even against one’s own side—illustrating the Mahābhārata’s warning about adharma multiplying through violence.
Sañjaya reports a moment in the battle where Duryodhana shoots Śalya with sixty-four arrows, while Jayadratha (Saindhava) shoots him with nine and Śakuni with five, emphasizing the intensity and confusion of the fighting.