Shloka 37
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
चिच्छेद समरे द्रौणिर्दर्शयन् पाणिलाघवम् । शिखण्डिनं च विव्याध शरैरबहुभिरायसै:,राजन! तत्पश्चात् पंखयुक्त तीखे बाणोंद्वारा शिखण्डीको भी बहुत घायल कर दिया। अश्व॒त्थामाद्वारा सायकोंकी मारसे खण्डित किये हुए उस खड्गको शिखण्डीने घुमाकर तुरंत ही उसके ऊपर चला दिया। वह खड्ग प्रज्वलित सर्प-सा प्रकाशित हो उठा। अपने ऊपर आते हुए प्रलयकालकी अग्निके समान तेजस्वी उस खड्गको अभ्वत्थामाने युद्धमें अपना हस्त-लाघव दिखाते हुए सहसा काट डाला। तत्पश्चात् बहुत-से लोहमय बाणोंद्वारा उसने शिखण्डीको भी घायल कर दिया
ciccheda samare drauṇir darśayan pāṇilāghavam | śikhaṇḍinaṃ ca vivyādha śarair abahubhir āyasaiḥ, rājan |
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, Droṇa’s son (Aśvatthāman), displaying swift dexterity of hand, cut down (the oncoming weapon) and then pierced Śikhaṇḍin with many iron-tipped arrows, O King. The scene underscores the ruthless efficiency of martial skill on the battlefield, where prowess and speed decide life and death, even as the larger war continues to test the boundaries of dharma amid relentless violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, technical prowess (pāṇilāghava) can decisively overpower an opponent; ethically, it points to the grim reality that skill and force often dominate the battlefield, even while the epic invites reflection on whether such violence aligns with dharma.
Sañjaya reports that Aśvatthāman, son of Droṇa, demonstrates swift hand-skill by cutting down the threatening weapon and then wounds Śikhaṇḍin with many iron arrows during the battle.