Shloka 413
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
त्रिधा चिच्छेद समरे सहदेवो हसन्निव । अपने ऊपर आती हुई उस शक्तिको सुवर्णभूषित बाणोंद्वारा मारकर सहदेवने समरांगणमें हँसते हुए-से सहसा उसके तीन टुकड़े कर डाले
tridhā ciccheda samare sahadevo hasann iva | ātmana upari āpatantīm tāṁ śaktiṁ suvarṇabhūṣitaiḥ bāṇaiḥ hatvā sahadevaḥ samarāṅgaṇe hasann iva sahasā tasyās trīn khaṇḍān cakāra |
Sañjaya said: In the thick of battle, Sahadeva—almost as if smiling—struck down the onrushing spear aimed at him with gold-adorned arrows, and in an instant split it into three pieces. The scene underscores disciplined courage: even amid lethal violence, the warrior’s composure and precision serve the duty of protection and resistance within the grim ethics of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, the text highlights steadiness of mind and disciplined action: Sahadeva’s calm precision reflects kṣatriya-dharma—meeting danger without panic, using skill to neutralize harm.
A spear (śakti) rushes toward Sahadeva. He counters with gold-decorated arrows, destroys the incoming weapon, and then splits it into three pieces, appearing almost to smile as he does so.