Shloka 33
त्रिपुरदाह-इतिहासः
Tripura-destruction exemplum and counsel to Śalya
सौबलस्तु ततस्तस्य शरांक्षिक्षेप वीर्यवान् | तानापतत एवाशु चिच्छेद परमासिना,तब पराक्रमी सुबलपुत्रने सुतसोमपर बहुत-से बाण चलाये; परंतु उसने अपने उत्तम खड्गसे निकट आते ही उन सब बाणोंको काट गिराया
saubalastu tatastasya śarān kṣikṣepa vīryavān | tān āpatata evāśu ciccheda paramāsinā ||
Sañjaya said: Then the valiant son of Śubala (Śakuni) hurled a multitude of arrows at him. But as those shafts rushed in, he swiftly cut them down with his excellent sword—showing the warrior’s alertness and mastery in battle, where skill and presence of mind can neutralize even a sudden storm of weapons.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the ethics of kṣatriya warfare, victory is not only force but disciplined skill and vigilance: a sudden attack is met by steadiness, quick judgment, and mastery of weapons rather than panic or cruelty.
Śakuni (the Saubala) releases many arrows at his opponent; the opponent, as the arrows rush in, swiftly cuts them down with a superior sword, neutralizing the volley.