Shloka 49
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
विवृताक्षश्व कौन्तेयो वेपमानश्व मन्युना । चिच्छेद योधान् निशितै: शरै: शतसहसत्रश:
vivṛtākṣaś ca kaunteyo vepamānaś ca manyunā | ciccheda yodhān niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ śata-sahasraśaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Putra Kuntī itu, dengan mata terbelalak dan tubuh bergetar oleh amarah, menebas para kesatria dengan anak panah setajam silet—membinasakan mereka ratusan dan ribuan jumlahnya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how anger (manyu) can intensify violence and accelerate destruction in war. Even within kṣatriya-duty, wrath is shown as a powerful, destabilizing force—raising ethical tension between necessary combat and the inner passions that can eclipse restraint.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna (Kaunteya) in a heightened battle-state—eyes wide, trembling with fury—cutting down enemy warriors with sharp arrows in enormous numbers, emphasizing the ferocity and scale of the fighting.