Shloka 22
द्रोणपुत्रस्याग्नेयास्त्रप्रयोगः — अर्जुनस्य ब्राह्मास्त्रप्रतिघातः — व्यासोपदेशः
Aśvatthāmā’s Agneyāstra, Arjuna’s Brāhmāstra Counter, and Vyāsa’s Instruction
भल््लेनान्येन तु पुनः सुवर्णोज्ज्वलकुण्डलम् । निचकर्त शिर: कायाद् ट्रुमसेनस्थ वीर्यवान्,फिर दूसरे भल्लद्वारा उन पराक्रमी वीरने द्रुमसेनके सुवर्णनिर्मित कान्तिमान् कुण्डलोंद्वारा मण्डित मस्तकको धड़से काट गिराया
bhallena anyena tu punaḥ suvarṇojjvala-kuṇḍalam | nicakarta śiraḥ kāyāt drumasenāsthavīryavān ||
Sañjaya berkata—kemudian, dengan satu anak panah bermata lebar yang lain, sang kesatria perkasa menebas kepala Drumāsena dari tubuhnya—kepala yang berhias anting emas berkilau—lalu menjatuhkannya ke tanah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the stark ethic of the battlefield: in kṣatriya-war, worldly splendor and personal identity (symbolized by the golden earrings) do not shield one from death; action and consequence unfold with relentless impartiality, reminding the listener of impermanence and the gravity of martial duty.
Sañjaya reports that a powerful warrior, using another bhalla-arrow, cuts off Drumāsena’s head—described as shining with golden earrings—severing it from the body and bringing him down in the ongoing combat.