Shloka 316
नारायणास्त्र-शमनं द्रौणि-प्रहारश्च
Pacification of the Nārāyaṇāstra and Drauni’s Renewed Assault
न्यषीदत रथोपस्थे शिखण्डी रथिनां वर: । समरभूमिमें यशस्वी कृपाचार्यद्वारा बाणोंसे आच्छादित किया जाता हुआ रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ शिखण्डी रथके पिछले भागमें शिथिल होकर बैठ गया
sañjaya uvāca | nyaṣīdata rathopasthe śikhaṇḍī rathināṃ varaḥ | samarabhūmau yaśasvī kṛpācārya-dvārā bāṇaiḥ ācchādyamānaḥ rathināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ śikhaṇḍī rathasya paścima-bhāge śithilaḥ bhūtvā upāviśat |
Sañjaya berkata: Di medan laga, ketika ia diselimuti dari segala arah oleh anak panah Ācārya Kṛpa, Śikhaṇḍī yang termasyhur—terunggul di antara para kesatria kereta—menjadi lemah dan merosot ke tempat duduk keretanya, condong ke bagian belakang kereta.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical realism of war: fame and rank do not guarantee invulnerability. Endurance, composure, and disciplined skill determine survival in battle, reminding readers that pride must yield to humility before circumstance and effort.
Sanjaya reports that Śikhaṇḍī, struck and overwhelmed by a dense shower of arrows from Ācārya Kṛpa, loses strength and sits down slackly toward the rear of his chariot, indicating a momentary collapse or weakening amid the fight.