Shloka 356
ससर्ज बाणान् विशिखान् महात्मा वधाय राजन् कर्णसुतस्य संख्ये । राजन्! ऐसा कहकर महात्मा अर्जुनने अपने धनुषको पोंछा और कर्णपुत्र वृषसेनका वध करनेके लिये युद्धमें उसीको लक्ष्य बनाकर बाणोंका प्रहार आरम्भ किया
sa-sarja bāṇān viśikhān mahātmā vadhāya rājan karṇa-sutasya saṅkhye |
Sañjaya said: O King, the great-souled Arjuna loosed sharp arrows in the thick of battle, intent on the death of Karṇa’s son. Having spoken thus, he wiped his bow and, fixing Vṛṣasena as his chosen target, began a focused assault—an act framed by the grim ethics of war, where resolve and duty drive a warrior to strike decisively against a formidable foe.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield ethic of the Mahābhārata, a kṣatriya’s dharma demands unwavering resolve and disciplined action. The verse highlights purposeful focus—choosing a target and acting decisively—while acknowledging the moral gravity of lethal duty in war.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Arjuna, after declaring his intent, wipes his bow and begins striking with sharp arrows, concentrating his attack on Vṛṣasena, the son of Karṇa, with the aim of killing him in the battle.