Shloka 15
ततो युधि महाराज सोमदत्तो महारथ: । अर्धचन्द्रेण चिच्छेद माधवस्य महद् धनु:,महाराज! तदनन्तर युद्धस्थलमें महारथी सोमदत्तने अर्धचन्द्राकार बाणसे सात्यकिके विशाल धनुषको काट दिया
tato yudhi mahārāja somadatto mahārathaḥ | ardhacandreṇa ciccheda mādhavasya mahad dhanuḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then, in the midst of battle, O great king, Somadatta—the great chariot-warrior—severed Mādhava’s mighty bow with a crescent-headed arrow. The episode underscores how, in war, even renowned heroes face sudden reversals through an opponent’s skill, testing steadiness and resolve amid the harsh demands of kṣatriya duty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the volatility of battle: prowess and preparedness can be abruptly challenged by an opponent’s precision. Ethically, it reflects the kṣatriya arena where duty demands composure and continued effort even when one’s weapons or advantages are suddenly lost.
During the fighting, Somadatta, described as a mahāratha, strikes with an ardhacandra (crescent-headed) arrow and cuts down Mādhava’s great bow, a tactical move meant to disarm and gain advantage on the battlefield.