Shloka 13
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
अथीैनं छिन्नधन्वानं रुक्मपुड्खै: शिलाशितै:
athainaṃ chinnadhanvānaṃ rukmapuḍkhaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ
फिर धनुष कट जाने पर उस निःशस्त्र-प्राय योद्धा को स्वर्णपुच्छ वाले और शिला से तीक्ष्ण किए हुए बाणों से वे बेधने लगे।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line highlights the harsh momentum of war: once combat escalates, even a disarmed opponent may be pursued with lethal intent. It invites reflection on kṣatriya conduct—how martial duty and battlefield ferocity can conflict with ideals of restraint and fairness.
Sañjaya describes a warrior whose bow has been cut, leaving him disarmed; opponents then continue the assault using finely made, sharp arrows—gold-fitted shafts and stone-whetted points—emphasizing the intensity and technical lethality of the fighting.