Shloka 22
Nakula–Śakuni Duel and the Night Battle; Śikhaṇḍin–Kṛpa Engagement (नकुल-शकुनियुद्धं तथा रात्रियुद्धवर्णनम्)
सौमदत्तिस्तु शैनेयं प्रच्छाद्येषुभिराशुगै:
saumadattis tu śaineyaṁ pracchādyeṣubhir āśugaiḥ
Sañjaya said: But Saumadatti, showering Śaineya with swift-flying arrows, sought to cover and overwhelm him in the press of battle—an image of how, in war, prowess is measured by the ability to check an opponent’s advance through relentless force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic where a warrior asserts dominance by restraining an opponent through sustained, skillful offense; it reflects the kṣatriya ideal of meeting force with disciplined courage, even as the narrative shows how violence rapidly intensifies once rivalry is engaged.
Sañjaya reports that Bhūriśravas (Saumadatti) attacks Sātyaki (Śaineya) by raining swift arrows upon him, attempting to smother his movement and initiative in the fight.