Shloka 3
Chapter 30: Formation Disruption, Competing War-Cries, and Nīla’s Fall
Droṇa-parva
तौ समेत्यार्जुनं वीरौ पुर: पश्चाच्च धन्विनौ । अविध्येतां महावेगैर्निशितैराशुगैर्भुशम्,उन दोनों धनुर्धर वीरोंने अर्जुनपर आगे और पीछेसे भी आक्रमण करके अत्यन्त वेगशाली पैने बाणोंद्वारा उन्हें बहुत घायल कर दिया
tau sametyārjunaṃ vīrau puraḥ paścācca dhanvinau | avidhyetāṃ mahāvegair niśitair āśugair bhuśam ||
Sañjaya said: The two heroic archers closed in upon Arjuna, attacking from the front and from behind; with razor-sharp, swift arrows driven with great force, they struck him repeatedly, wounding him severely. The scene underscores the ruthless intensity of battlefield duty, where skill and strategy are deployed without hesitation, even against the foremost of warriors.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the uncompromising nature of kṣatriya warfare: opponents employ coordinated tactics and full martial force. Ethically, it reflects the battlefield context where duty and strategy prevail, and even the greatest warrior must endure the consequences of combat.
Two heroic bowmen converge on Arjuna and attack him simultaneously from the front and the rear, striking him hard with sharp, swift arrows and causing severe wounds.