Shloka 9
द्रोणनिन्दाश्रवणं तथा सात्यकि–पार्षतविवादः
Hearing the reproach of Droṇa and the Sātyaki–Pārṣata dispute
गदां विनिहतां दृष्टवा सहदेवस्त्वरान्वित: । शक्ति चिक्षेप कर्णाय तामप्यस्याच्छिनच्छरै:,अपनी गदाको असफल होकर गिरी हुई देख सहदेवने बड़ी उतावलीके साथ कर्णपर शक्ति चलायी; किंतु उसने बाणोंद्वारा उस शक्तिको भी काट डाला
gadāṃ vinihatāṃ dṛṣṭvā sahadevas tvarānvitāḥ | śaktiṃ cikṣepa karṇāya tām apy asyācchinac charaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing his mace struck down and lying useless, Sahadeva, driven by urgency, hurled a śakti-weapon at Karṇa. Yet Karṇa, unwavering in the press of battle, cut that weapon down as well with his arrows—showing how, in war, courage must be joined to skill, and how even a righteous warrior’s effort can be thwarted by a superior counter.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic: mere bravery or righteous intent is not enough—success depends on composure, timing, and mastery of arms. It also reflects the epic’s realism that sincere effort can be checked by an opponent’s superior skill, without negating the doer’s dharma.
After Sahadeva’s mace is neutralized, he quickly switches tactics and hurls a śakti-weapon at Karṇa. Karṇa responds immediately, severing that incoming weapon with a volley of arrows, thereby foiling Sahadeva’s attack.