Mahabharata — Bhishma Parva, Shloka 703
रथादनवरूढस्य तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् । परंतु वे अभी अपने रथसे उतर भी नहीं पाये थे कि अर्जुनने अपने बाणोंद्वारा उनकी ढालके सौ टुकड़े कर दिये, वह एक अद्भुत-सी बात हुई
rathādanavarūḍhasya tadadbhutam ivābhavat |
वे अभी अपने रथ पर चढ़ भी नहीं पाए थे कि अर्जुन ने अपने बाणों से उनकी ढाल के सौ टुकड़े कर दिए; यह एक अद्भुत-सी बात हुई।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the dharma of warfare, readiness and discipline are decisive: even a brief lapse can lead to immediate defeat. It also points to Arjuna’s extraordinary mastery, suggesting that prowess and resolve can overwhelm an opponent before he is fully prepared.
Sañjaya reports a startling moment on the battlefield: before the opponent could even mount his chariot, Arjuna’s arrows struck so swiftly that the shield was shattered into a hundred fragments.