Shloka 16
द्रोणपर्व — द्विनवति-तमोऽध्यायः
Sātyaki Pressed by Kauravas; Duryodhana and Kṛtavarmā Engagements
मन्दवेगा नरा नागा बभूवुस्ते विचेतस: । शरैराशीविषस्पर्श्निर्भिन्ना: सव्यसाचिना,घोड़ोंकी टापोंके शब्दसे, रथके पहियोंकी उस घरघराहटसे, उच्चस्वरसे किये जानेवाले गर्जन-तर्जनकी उस आवाजसे, धनुषकी प्रत्यंचाकी उस टंकारसे, भाँति-भाँतिके वाद्योंकी ध्वनिसे, पांचजन्यके हुंकारसे, देवदत्त नामक शंखके गम्भीर घोषसे तथा गाण्डीवकी टंकार- ध्वनिसे मनुष्यों और हाथियोंके वेग मन्द पड़ गये और वे सब-के-सब भयके मारे अचेत हो गये। सव्यसाची अर्जुनने विषधर सर्पके समान भयंकर बाणोंद्वारा उन्हें विदीर्ण कर दिया
sañjaya uvāca | mandavegā narā nāgā babhūvus te vicetasaḥ | śarair āśīviṣasparśair bhinnāḥ savyasācinā ||
Sañjaya said: Struck by Arjuna’s arrows—deadly as the touch of venomous serpents—those men and elephants lost their presence of mind; their momentum slackened, and they were shattered. The verse underscores how, amid the din and terror of battle, fear can unseat judgment, and martial prowess can rapidly turn living force into helpless confusion.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of composure in war: fear and sensory overwhelm can strip warriors of discernment, while skill and force (here, Arjuna’s archery) can decisively break an opposing formation—raising ethical reflection on how quickly violence turns living beings into powerless victims.
Sañjaya describes Arjuna (Savyasācī) piercing the opposing men and elephants with arrows likened to venomous serpents’ touch; their speed falters and they become bewildered and shattered under the assault.