Shloka 10
Bhagadatta’s Astra and the Fall of the Prāgjyotiṣa King (भगदत्त-वधः / वैष्णवास्त्र-प्रसङ्गः)
शक्ति त्रिभि: शरैश्छित्त्वा तोमरं त्रिभिरजुन: । सुशर्माणं शरव्रातैर्मोहयित्वा न्यवर्तयत्,अर्जुनने तीन बाणोंद्वारा शक्ति तथा तीन बाणोंद्वारा तोमरको काटकर सुशर्माको अपने बाणसमूहोंद्वारा मोहित करके पीछे लौटा दिया
śaktiṃ tribhiḥ śaraiś chittvā tomaraṃ tribhir arjunaḥ | suśarmāṇaṃ śaravrātair mohayitvā nyavartayat ||
Sañjaya said: Arjuna, with three arrows, cut down the śakti-weapon, and with three more he severed the tomara. Then, bewildering King Suśarmā with a dense volley of shafts, he forced him to turn back—displaying controlled prowess in battle rather than needless slaughter.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined kṣatriya conduct: superior skill is used to neutralize threats and compel retreat, emphasizing strategic restraint and battlefield control rather than gratuitous killing.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna precisely cuts down incoming weapons (śakti and tomara) with a small number of arrows, then overwhelms Suśarmā with a barrage that confuses him and forces him to withdraw.