Shloka 110
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
अथार्जुनाय प्रजिघाय भल्लान् भूरिश्रवा: सप्त सुवर्णपुड्खान् । दुर्योधनस्तोमरमुग्रवेगं शल्यो गदां शान्तनवश्व शक्तिम्,तदनन्तर भूरिश्रवाने सोनेके पंखसे युक्त सात भल्ल अर्जुनपर चलाये। दुर्योधनने भयंकर वेगशाली तोमरका प्रहार किया। शल्यने गदा और शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मने शक्ति चलायी
athārjunāya prajighāya bhallān bhūriśravāḥ sapta suvarṇapuḍkhān | duryodhanas tomarām ugravegaṁ śalyō gadāṁ śāntanavaś ca śaktim ||
Sañjaya said: Then Bhūriśravā hurled at Arjuna seven bhalla-arrows, each fitted with golden feathers. Duryodhana, with terrible speed, cast a tomara (javelin); Śalya launched a mace; and Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, hurled a śakti (spear). The scene underscores the escalating ferocity of battle—many great warriors striking at once—testing steadiness, skill, and resolve amid the moral weight of fratricidal war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield reality where multiple renowned warriors strike simultaneously, emphasizing the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness and skill under pressure, while implicitly reminding the listener of the grave ethical burden of a war among kin.
Sañjaya describes a coordinated surge of attacks against Arjuna: Bhūriśravā shoots seven golden-fletched bhalla arrows; Duryodhana hurls a fast tomara; Śalya throws a mace; and Bhīṣma casts a śakti spear—intensifying the combat around Arjuna.