Shloka 63
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 94: Sātyaki–Sudarśana Yuddha (सात्यकि–सुदर्शन युद्ध)
सो5तिविद्ध: शरैस्ती&णैगाण्डीवप्रेषितैर्मुथे । अर्जुन प्रतिविव्याध दशभि: कड्कपत्रिभि:,गाण्डीव धनुषद्वारा छोड़े हुए तीखे बाणोंसे अत्यन्त घायल होनेपर सुदक्षिणने उस रणक्षेत्रमें कंककी पाँखवाले दस बाणोंद्वारा अर्जुनको क्षत-विक्षत कर दिया
so ’tividdhaḥ śarais tīkṣṇair gāṇḍīvapreṣitair raṇe | arjunaṃ prativivyādha daśabhiḥ kaṅkapatribhiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Though struck hard in battle by Arjuna’s sharp arrows shot from the Gāṇḍīva, Sudakṣiṇa retaliated on that field and pierced Arjuna with ten shafts feathered with heron-plumes. The verse underscores the grim reciprocity of war: injury answered by injury, valor entangled with escalating violence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension of warfare: even when one side is grievously hurt, the code of the battlefield drives immediate counter-strikes. It reflects how kṣatriya valor and duty can perpetuate cycles of retaliation, inviting reflection on the ethical cost of conflict.
Sañjaya reports that Sudakṣiṇa, though badly wounded by Arjuna’s sharp arrows shot from the Gāṇḍīva, answers back by striking Arjuna with ten heron-feathered arrows on the battlefield.