Shloka 23
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 94: Sātyaki–Sudarśana Yuddha (सात्यकि–सुदर्शन युद्ध)
भारत! तब महारथी कृतवर्माने दूसरा धनुष लेकर तुरंत ही पाँच बाणोंसे अर्जुनकी छातीमें चोट पहुँचायी ।। पुनश्न निशितैर्बाणै: पार्थ विव्याध पठ्चभि: । त॑ पार्थो नवभिर्बाणैराजघान स्तनान्तरे,फिर पाँच तीखे बाण और मारकर अर्जुनको घायल कर दिया। यह देख अर्जुनने कृतवर्माकी छातीमें नौ बाण मारे
sañjaya uvāca | punaś ca niśitair bāṇaiḥ pārthaṃ vivyādha pañcabhiḥ | taṃ pārtho navabhir bāṇair ājaghāna stanāntare ||
Sañjaya said: Again, with five sharp arrows, Kṛtavarman pierced Pārtha (Arjuna). Seeing this, Arjuna struck him in the region of the chest with nine arrows—an immediate counter in the relentless exchange of war, where prowess and restraint are tested amid the demands of duty on the battlefield.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya battlefield ethic: steadfastness under injury and measured, skillful response. It portrays endurance and resolve rather than personal malice, reflecting how duty-driven combat tests self-control and courage.
Kṛtavarman shoots Arjuna with five sharp arrows. Arjuna immediately retaliates by striking Kṛtavarman in the chest with nine arrows, continuing the intense duel described by Sañjaya.