Shloka 9
अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa
जयद्रथके कटे हुए मस्तकका उसके पिताकी गोदमें गिरना अथ शारद्वतो राजन् कौन्तेयशरपीडित: । अवासीददू रथोपस्थे मूर्च्छाीम भिजगाम ह,राजन! कृपाचार्य अर्जुनके बाणोंसे पीड़ित हो मूर्च्छित हो गये और रथके पिछले भागमें जा बैठे
atha śāradvato rājan kaunteya-śara-pīḍitaḥ | avāsīd rathopasthe mūrcchām abhijagāma ha ||
Sañjaya said: “Then, O King, Śāradvata (Kṛpa), tormented by the arrows of the son of Kuntī (Arjuna), sank down upon the chariot-seat and fell into a swoon.” The verse underscores the relentless momentum of battle: even revered elders are physically overwhelmed, reminding the listener that prowess and status do not exempt one from the consequences of violent action in war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the impartial force of karma-like consequence within battle: even venerable teachers are subject to pain and collapse when engaged in violence. It implicitly cautions that status and seniority do not shield one from the results of one’s chosen role in war (kṣatriya-dharma and its costs).
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Kṛpa (Śāradvata), struck and distressed by Arjuna’s arrows, loses consciousness and slumps down on the chariot-seat.