Shloka 58
स निर्भिन्नो विविधैरस्त्रपूगै- दिव्यैनगिर्मानिषै राक्षसैश्व । नदन् नादान् विविधान् भैरवांश्व प्राणानिष्टांस्त्याजित: शक्रशक्त्या
sa nirbhinno vividhair astrapūgair divyair nāgair mānuṣair rākṣasaiś ca | nadan nādān vividhān bhairavāṁś ca prāṇān iṣṭāṁs tyājitaḥ śakraśaktyā ||
Sañjaya said: Pierced through by volleys of many kinds of weapons—celestial, nāga-born, human, and rākṣasa—he roared out in diverse, terrifying cries; and, struck down by Indra’s spear, he relinquished the life he held dear. The verse underscores the grim impartiality of war: prowess and supernatural arms culminate not in glory but in the inevitable surrender of life when fate and force converge.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical gravity of war: even amid extraordinary prowess and supernatural weaponry, life is fragile and ultimately surrendered. It invites reflection on the cost of violence and the inevitability of death in righteous or unrighteous conflict.
Sañjaya describes a warrior being torn by volleys of diverse missiles—divine, nāga, human, and rākṣasa—and, after emitting dreadful roars, being slain (or forced to give up life) by Śakra’s spear (Indra’s śakti).