धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
ततो<स्यापततस्तूर्ण सहदेव: प्रतापवान् । शरौघान् प्रेषयामास पतड्रानिव शीघ्रगान्,तब प्रतापी सहदेवने भी अपने ऊपर आक्रमण करनेवाले शकुनिपर तुरंत ही बहुत-से शीघ्रगामी बाणसमूहोंकी वर्षा आरम्भ कर दी, जो आकाशमें टिट्डीदलोंके समान छा रहे थे
tato ’syāpatatas tūrṇaṃ sahadevaḥ pratāpavān | śaraughān preṣayāmāsa pataṅgān iva śīghragān ||
Sañjaya said: Then, as he (Śakuni) rushed swiftly upon him, the valiant Sahadeva at once let fly a dense volley of arrows—swift as a swarm of locusts—spreading through the sky to check the oncoming assault.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in action: when confronted by aggression, a warrior responds decisively and proportionately to protect himself and fulfill his duty on the battlefield, emphasizing readiness, courage, and disciplined force.
As Śakuni charges toward Sahadeva, Sahadeva immediately counters by releasing a rapid, dense shower of arrows that fills the sky like a locust-swarm, aiming to halt or blunt Śakuni’s attack.