Shloka 25
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
त॑ दृष्टवा द्विरदं दूरात् क्षेमधूर्तिद्धिपस्थित: । आह्वयन्नभिदुद्राव प्रमना: प्रमनस्तरम्
taṁ dṛṣṭvā dviradaṁ dūrāt kṣemadhūrtir adhiṣṭhitaḥ | āhvayann abhidudrāva pramāṇaḥ pramanastaram || sātyakiṁ ca tataḥ tūrṇaṁ kekayānāṁ mahārathaḥ | śarair anekasāhasair bāhv-urugasi cārpayat ||
サンジャヤは言った。「その象を遠くから見て、巨大な象に乗るクシェーマドゥールティは、高魂のビーマセーナに大声で挑みかけ、まっすぐ突進した。ついでケーカヤの大車戦士は遅滞なく、幾千もの矢をもってサーティヤキの両腕と広い胸を射貫いた。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of direct challenge and fearless engagement in battle, while implicitly reminding the listener that such prowess operates within the grave ethical atmosphere of war—where courage and aggression are inseparable from the consequences of harm.
Kṣemadhūrti, seated on an elephant, sees the opposing elephant from a distance and charges while challenging Bhīma. Immediately afterward, a Kekaya great warrior (noted in the accompanying Hindi as Vindana) showers Sātyaki with a massive volley of arrows, striking his arms and chest.