Shloka 14
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 47 — Abhimanyu’s rapid exchanges, counsel to disable his chariot-system
तब शत्रुदलके प्रधान-प्रधान वीरोंका बेखटके वध करते हुए अभिमन्युको अश्वत्थामाने पचीस बाण मारे ।। सतु बाणै: शितैस्तूर्ण प्रत्यविध्यत मारिष । पश्यतां धार्तराष्ट्राणाम श्वत्थामानमार्जुनि:
sa tu bāṇaiḥ śitais tūrṇaṃ pratyavidhyat mārīṣa | paśyatāṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇām aśvatthāmānam arjuniḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Arjuni (Abhimanyu), swiftly countering Aśvatthāmā with sharp arrows, struck him in return—right before the eyes of the Kaurava warriors. The scene underscores the relentless reciprocity of battle: valor answers valor, and in the press of war even the foremost heroes become targets as duty to one’s side hardens into uncompromising action.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of kṣatriya warfare as portrayed in the epic: swift counteraction and steadfastness to one’s duty amid danger. It also hints at the moral tension of war—heroism expressed through effective retaliation, even as violence escalates before an audience that judges victory and defeat.
Abhimanyu (called Arjuni) quickly counter-attacks Aśvatthāmā with sharp arrows, striking him back while the Kaurava forces (Dhārtarāṣṭras) look on. It is a moment of visible prowess and immediate response in the thick of battle.