Shloka 39
अविध्यन्मागधो वीर: पज्चभिरनर्निशितै: शरै: | भारत! धनुष काटनेके पश्चात् सात्यकिको उस मागध वीरने हँसते हुए ही पाँच तीखे बाणोंद्वारा घायल कर दिया ।। ३८ $ ।। स विद्धो बहुभिर्बाणैर्जलसंधेन वीर्यवान्
avidhyan māgadho vīraḥ pañcabhir anṛṇiśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | bhārata! dhanuṣ kāṭaneke paścāt sātyakiko us māgadha vīrane haँsate hue hī pāँc tīkhē bāṇoṃdvārā ghāyal kara diyā || 38 || sa viddho bahubhir bāṇair jalasaṃdhena vīryavān
Sañjaya said: The valiant Magadhan warrior struck with five exceedingly sharp arrows. O Bhārata, after cutting Sātyaki’s bow, that Magadhan hero—still smiling—wounded him with five keen shafts. Then the mighty Jalasaṃdha, pierced by many arrows, (continued the combat).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-ethic of steadfastness under pressure: even after a decisive tactical move (cutting the opponent’s bow), the combatant maintains composure and confidence (symbolized by smiling) while continuing disciplined action. It also reflects Sañjaya’s role as a truthful reporter, framing battlefield events without moralizing, leaving the ethical weight to the broader dharma discourse of the epic.
In the Drona Parva battle sequence, a Magadhan hero first strikes with five sharp arrows; after cutting Sātyaki’s bow, he again wounds Sātyaki with five arrows while smiling. The next line transitions to Jalasaṃdha, described as mighty yet pierced by many arrows, indicating the ongoing exchange of missile warfare.