Shloka 20
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 45: Saubhadra–Lakṣmaṇa-saṃyoga and Kaurava Counter-Encirclement
ससूताश्चध्वजं तस्य स्यन्दनं तं च मारिष । आचितं समपश्याम श्वाविधं शललैरिव,आर्य! सारथि, घोड़े और ध्वजसहित अभिमन्युके उस रथको मैंने उसी प्रकार बाणोंसे व्याप्त देखा, जैसे साही (सेह)-का शरीर काँटोंसे भरा रहता है
sasūtāś ca dhvajaṃ tasya syandanaṃ taṃ ca māriṣa | ācitaṃ samapaśyāma śvāv-idhaṃ śalalair iva ||
“Wahai yang mulia, aku melihat keretanya—beserta sais, kuda-kuda, dan panjinya—tertutup anak panah begitu rapat, laksana tubuh landak yang dipenuhi duri.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the stark reality of war: even the finest instruments of valor—chariot, banner, horses, and charioteer—are vulnerable. It highlights endurance amid overwhelming assault and the impartial clarity of truthful narration.
Sañjaya reports to the listener that he saw the warrior’s chariot, along with its driver, horses, and standard, densely pierced and covered by arrows—so thickly that it resembled a porcupine bristling with quills.