Shloka 13
अभिमन्युवधः
Abhimanyu’s Fall and the Battlefield Aftermath
पिता तवाह॒वं त्यक्त्वा गत: कापुरुषो यथा । दिष्ट्या त्वमपि जानीषे योर न त्वद्य मोक्ष्यसे,तस्यार्जुनिर्ध्वजं छित्त्वा शल्यं त्रेभिरताडयत् । त॑ं शल्यो नवभिर्बाणैर्गार्ध्रपत्रैरताडयत्
pitā tavāhaṁ tyaktvā gataḥ kāpuruṣo yathā | diṣṭyā tvam api jānīṣe yo ’rṇo na tv adya mokṣyase, tasyārjunir dhvajaṁ chittvā śalyaṁ trebhiḥ atāḍayat | taṁ śalyo navabhir bāṇair gārdhrapatrair atāḍayat |
サンジャヤは言った。「『おまえの父は戦を捨て、臆病者のように去った。だが幸いにも、おまえも悟ったはずだ――「こやつは今日、逃れ得ぬ」と。』」その決意のままにアルジュナの子は彼の旗印を斬り落とし、シャリヤを三本の矢で打った。シャリヤはまた、禿鷲の羽を矧いだ九本の矢で彼を射貫いて応じた。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how moral judgments (cowardice vs. courage) and firm resolve (‘he will not escape today’) quickly translate into action in war. It reflects the Kṣatriya ethos where honor is defended through deeds, while also showing how harsh speech and certainty can intensify violence and close off paths of restraint.
Sañjaya reports a taunt about a ‘father’ leaving like a coward, followed by a vow-like assertion that the opponent will not escape that day. Then Arjuna’s son (Arjuni/Abhimanyu) cuts down the enemy’s banner and strikes Śalya with three arrows; Śalya answers by striking him with nine vulture-feathered arrows.