Shloka 61
धृतराष्ट्र-संजय-संवादः — दुर्योधनस्य ह्रदप्रवेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Saṃjaya Dialogue: Duryodhana’s Entry into the Lake
तस्याशुकारी सुसमाहितेन सुवर्णपुड्खेन दृढायसेन । भल्लेन सर्वावरणातिगेन शिर: शरीरात् प्रममाथ भूय:,तत्पश्चात् शीघ्रता करनेवाले सहदेवने अच्छी तरह संधान करके छोड़े गये सुवर्णमय पंखवाले लोहेके बने हुए सुदृढ़ भल्लके द्वारा, जो समस्त आवरणोंको छेद डालनेवाला था, शकुनिके मस्तकको पुनः धड़से काट गिराया
tasyāśukārī susamāhitena suvarṇapuḍkhena dṛḍhāyasena | bhallena sarvāvaraṇātigena śiraḥ śarīrāt pramamātha bhūyaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Then Sahadeva, swift in action, having carefully taken aim, struck with a strong iron bhalla-arrow fitted with golden feathers—an arrow that could pierce through every kind of armor—and once again severed Śakuni’s head from his body. The verse underscores the grim finality of battlefield karma: skill and resolve culminate in irreversible consequences, and enmity pursued to its end yields a decisive, violent closure.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how focused intent (susamāhita) and decisive action bring irreversible outcomes in war; it also reflects the harsh moral landscape of the Kurukṣetra conflict, where long-standing hostility culminates in final retribution.
Sañjaya reports that Sahadeva, acting swiftly and with careful aim, releases a powerful iron bhalla-arrow with golden feathers that pierces all armor and severs Śakuni’s head from his body.