Shloka 7
Āśvamedhika Parva, Adhyāya 77 — Saindhava resistance, Arjuna’s restraint, and Duḥśalā’s supplication
ते किरन्त: शरव्रातान् वारणप्रतिवारणान् । रणे जयमभीप्सन्त: कौन्तेयं पर्यवारयन् ७ ।।
te kirantaḥ śaravrātān vāraṇaprativāraṇān | raṇe jayam abhīpsantaḥ kaunteyaṃ paryavārayan 7 ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Sambil menghujani dengan rentetan panah—begitu rapat hingga mampu menahan mara gajah sekalipun—para pahlawan itu, mendambakan kemenangan di medan perang, mengepung putera Kuntī. Adegan ini menunjukkan bagaimana nafsu perang boleh mengeras menjadi tekanan beramai-ramai, menguji keteguhan seorang wira di hadapan kekuatan yang melimpah.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in warfare: the drive for victory can become an overpowering collective force, yet the dharmic ideal for a kṣatriya is steadiness and disciplined courage even when surrounded and outnumbered.
A group of fighters rains down heavy volleys of arrows—described as capable of stopping even elephants—and, intent on winning the battle, they encircle Kaunteya (Arjuna) on the battlefield.