Shloka 14
Bhagadatta’s Astra and the Fall of the Prāgjyotiṣa King (भगदत्त-वधः / वैष्णवास्त्र-प्रसङ्गः)
संवेष्टयन्ननीकानि शरवर्षेण पाण्डव: । सुपर्णपातवद् राजन्नायात् प्राग्ज्योतिषं प्रति,राजन! अर्जुनने बाणोंकी वर्षसे कौरव-सेनाओंको आच्छादित करते हुए गरुड़के समान वेगसे भगदत्तपर आक्रमण किया
saṃveṣṭayann anīkāni śaravarṣeṇa pāṇḍavaḥ | suparṇapātavad rājan āyāt prāgjyotiṣaṃ prati ||
Sañjaya said: O King, the Pāṇḍava hero (Arjuna), enveloping the enemy battle-formations with a downpour of arrows, rushed toward the lord of Prāgjyotiṣa (Bhagadatta) with the speed and plunge of Garuḍa. The scene underscores the warrior’s duty in battle: decisive action, disciplined skill, and unwavering resolve directed against a formidable opponent.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in action: a warrior must act decisively and skillfully in a justly undertaken battle, using disciplined force without hesitation when confronting a powerful adversary.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna blankets the Kaurava formations with a dense volley of arrows and then charges swiftly toward Bhagadatta, the ruler associated with Prāgjyotiṣa, likened to Garuḍa’s rapid swoop.