Shloka 22
Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 17 — Śālva’s encampment and the Yādava counter-engagement at Dvārakā
तैः स विद्धों महाबाहु: प्रद्युम्न: समरे स्थित: । जन्रुदेशे भृशं वीरो व्यवासीदद् रथे तदा,शाल्वके उन बाणोंद्वारा कण्ठके मूलभागमें गहरा आघात लगनेसे अत्यन्त घायल होकर समरमें स्थित महाबाहु वीर प्रद्युम्म उस समय रथपर मूर्च्छित हो गये
taiḥ sa viddho mahābāhuḥ pradyumnaḥ samare sthitaḥ | grīvādeśe bhṛśaṁ vīro vyavāsīd rathē tadā ||
その矢を受けた剛腕のプラデュムナは、なお戦のただ中にありながら、頸の要所を深く傷つけられた。打撃の力に圧され、勇士は戦車の上に意識を失って崩れ落ちた――大いなる勇気でさえ、戦の冷厳で非情な力の前には抑え込まれ得ることを示す光景である。
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the vulnerability of even the greatest warriors: courage and duty may keep one in the fight, yet the realities of violence and bodily limitation can abruptly overturn strength. It invites reflection on the ethical cost of war and the impermanence of worldly power.
Pradyumna is pierced by arrows and suffers a severe wound at the neck. Though he had remained in battle, the injury overwhelms him and he collapses unconscious on his chariot.