Shloka 11
Karṇa’s Camp-Council Discourse: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Lament, Sañjaya’s Counsel, and Karṇa’s Request for Śalya
Book 8, Chapter 22
तत्पश्चात् दुःशासनने युद्धस्थलमें तुरंत ही तीखी तलवार घुमाकर सहदेवपर दे मारी; फिर उस पराक्रमी वीरने दूसरा धनुष लेकर उसपर बाणका संधान किया ।। तमापतन्तं सहसा निस्त्रिंशं निशितै: शरै: । पातयामास समरे सहदेवो हसन्निव,सहदेवने हँसते हुए-से सहसा अपनी ओर आती हुई उस तलवारको तीखे बाणोंसे समरभूमिमें गिरा दिया
tam āpatantaṃ sahasā nistriṃśaṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ | pātayāmāsa samare sahadevo hasann iva ||
Sañjaya said: As Duhśāsana’s sharp sword suddenly came hurtling toward him, Sahadeva—calm, as if smiling—struck it down on the battlefield with keen arrows. The scene highlights disciplined skill in war: even amid lethal aggression, Sahadeva’s composure and measured response restrain chaos and uphold the warrior’s code of controlled, purposeful combat.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores self-mastery in conflict: a warrior’s excellence is not mere aggression but controlled, timely action. Sahadeva’s ‘as if smiling’ composure suggests steadiness of mind (dhairya) and disciplined adherence to the ethics of battle.
Duhśāsana launches or hurls a sharp sword toward Sahadeva. Sahadeva immediately counters by shooting sharp arrows that knock the sword down onto the battlefield, neutralizing the threat before it can strike him.