Shloka 9
मित्रवर्मा त्रिसप्तत्या सौश्रुतिश्चापि सप्तभि: | श्रुतंजयस्तु विंशत्या सुशर्मा नवभि: शरै:,सत्यसेनने तीन, मित्रदेवने तिरसठ, चन्द्रदेवने सात, मित्रवर्माने तिहत्तर, सौश्रुतिने सात, श्रुवंज॑यने बीस तथा सुशमने नौ बाणोंसे युद्धस्थलमें पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनको बींध डाला
sañjaya uvāca |
mitravarmā trisaptatyā sauśrutiścāpi saptabhiḥ |
śrutañjayastu viṃśatyā suśarmā navabhiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Mitravarmā struck Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, with seventy-three arrows; Sauśruti with seven; Śrutañjaya with twenty; and Suśarmā with nine. Thus, amid the press of battle, many warriors together pierced Arjuna—showing how, in war, coordinated force is used to overwhelm even a foremost hero, while Arjuna’s steadfastness under assault becomes a measure of disciplined endurance rather than mere aggression.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the reality of warfare where multiple fighters may combine their strength against a single champion; ethically, it underscores the kṣatriya arena where endurance, composure, and steadfast performance of duty are tested under concentrated hostility.
Sañjaya reports that several Kaurava-side warriors—Mitravarmā, Sauśruti, Śrutañjaya, and Suśarmā—shoot Arjuna with specified numbers of arrows, describing a coordinated barrage against him in the midst of battle.