Shloka 18
Chapter 30: Formation Disruption, Competing War-Cries, and Nīla’s Fall
Droṇa-parva
चक्राणि विशिखा: प्रासा विविधान्यायुधानि च । प्रपेतु: शतशो दिवग्भ्य: प्रदिग्भ्यश्चार्जुनं प्रति,फिर तो अर्जुनके ऊपर दंडे, लोहेके गोले, पत्थर, शतघ्नी, शक्ति, गदा, परिघ, खड़्ग, शूल, मुदगर, पट्टिश, कम्पन, ऋष्टि, नखर, मुसल, फरसे, छूरे, क्षुरप्र, नालीक, वत्सदन्त, अस्थिसंधि, चक्र, बाण, प्रास तथा अन्य नाना प्रकारके सैकड़ों अस्त्र-शस्त्र सम्पूर्ण दिशाओं और विदिशाओंसे आ-आकर पड़ने लगे
sañjaya uvāca |
cakrāṇi viśikhāḥ prāsā vividhāny āyudhāni ca |
prapetuḥ śataśo digbhyaḥ pradigbhyaś cārjunaṃ prati ||
Sañjaya said: Discs, barbed missiles, spears, and many other kinds of weapons came hurtling down by the hundreds from every direction and intermediate quarter, all converging upon Arjuna. The scene underscores the ruthless intensity of battle—where force multiplies from all sides—yet also highlights the moral pressure on a warrior to remain steady and discerning amid overwhelming violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes steadfastness under extreme pressure: even when violence converges from all sides, the warrior is tested in composure, skill, and adherence to duty (kṣatriya-dharma) rather than panic or cruelty.
Sañjaya describes a concentrated assault on Arjuna: numerous weapons—discs, darts, spears, and other arms—are launched at him in great numbers from every direction and intermediate quarter.