Shloka 42
भीष्मवधोपाय-प्रश्नः (Inquiry into the means to overcome Bhīṣma) | Chapter 103
ततस्ते भ्रातर: पड्च राक्षसेन्द्रं महाहवे । विव्यधुर्निशितैर्बाणैस्तपनीयवि भूषितै:,तदनन्तर उन पाँचों भाइयोंने उस महासमरमें सुवर्णभूषित तीक्ष्ण बाणोंद्वारा राक्षसराज अलम्बुषको क्षत-विक्षत कर दिया
tatas te bhrātaraḥ pañca rākṣasendraṃ mahāhave | vivyadhur niśitair bāṇais tapanīya-vibhūṣitaiḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian lima bersaudara itu, dalam pertempuran besar tersebut, menikam penguasa kaum Rākṣasa dengan anak panah tajam berhias emas, hingga parah terluka.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya context of the epic: in a righteous war, coordinated resolve and disciplined martial action are portrayed as necessary, even when the outcome is violent. It also emphasizes unity—five brothers acting together against a powerful adversary.
Sañjaya reports that the five Pāṇḍava brothers strike the rākṣasa-chief (Alambuṣa) in the thick of battle, piercing him with sharp, gold-adorned arrows and leaving him badly wounded.