Shloka 20
द्रोणपर्व — द्विनवति-तमोऽध्यायः
Sātyaki Pressed by Kauravas; Duryodhana and Kṛtavarmā Engagements
गजस्कन्धगतानां च पुरुषाणां किरीटिना । छिद्यन्ते चोत्तमाड़ानि भल्लै: संनतपर्वभि:,किरीटधारी अर्जुन झुकी हुई गाँठवाले भलल नामक बाणोंद्वारा हाथीकी पीठपर बैठे हुए पुरुषोंके मस्तक भी धड़ाधड़ काटते जा रहे थे
gajaskandhagatānāṁ ca puruṣāṇāṁ kirīṭinā | chidyante cottamāṅgāni bhallaiḥ saṁnataparvabhiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: With his crested helm, Arjuna kept severing the heads of the warriors seated upon the elephants’ backs, cutting them down in rapid succession with bhalla arrows whose joints were bent—an image of relentless martial skill amid the grim ethics of battlefield slaughter.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: extraordinary skill and resolve can be exercised in service of one’s side, yet the scene also highlights the moral weight of violence—heroism and horror coexist on the battlefield.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, identified by his diadem/helmet, is striking down warriors positioned atop elephants, severing their heads with specialized bhalla arrows, indicating a decisive and fearsome phase of combat.