Shloka 64
'ये मेरे प्राणोंमें व्यथा उत्पन्न कर देते हैं। अहितकारी यमदूतोंके समान मेरे प्राणोंका विनाश-सा कर रहे हैं। ये शिखण्डीके बाण कदापि नहीं हो सकते ।। गदापरिघसंस्पर्शा नेमे बाणा: शिखण्डिन: । भुजगा इव संक्रुद्धा लेलिहाना विषोल्बणा:,“इनका स्पर्श गदा और परिघकी चोटके समान प्रतीत होता है, ये क्रोधमें भरे हुए प्रचण्ड विषवाले सर्पोंके समान डसे लेते हैं। ये शिखण्डीके बाण नहीं हैं
gadā-parigha-saṁsparśā neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ | bhujagā iva saṁkruddhā lelihānā viṣolbaṇāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “These arrows do not feel like those of Śikhaṇḍin. Their impact is like the blow of a mace or an iron club; like enraged serpents, terrible with potent venom, they strike as if to consume life itself—causing anguish and seeming to bring ruin to one’s very breath.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological dimension of war: appearances can mislead, and the felt force of an action reveals intent and capability beyond mere attribution. It also underscores how violence is experienced as existential threat—‘like venomous serpents’—inviting reflection on the destructive nature of battle.
In the Bhīṣma Parva battle narration, Sañjaya describes the extraordinary, crushing impact of incoming arrows and concludes they cannot truly be Śikhaṇḍin’s; their power feels like blows from heavy weapons and like bites of enraged, venomous snakes—implying a mightier archer’s agency behind them.