Shloka 3
Duryodhana’s Anxiety, Bhīṣma’s Reassurance, and Renewed Mobilization (दुर्योधनचिन्ता–भीष्मप्रत्याश्वासन–सेनानिर्गमनम्)
द्रौणिरगाण्डीवधन्चानं भीमधन्वा महारथ: । अविध्यदिषुभि: षड्भिद्दृढहस्त: स्तनान्तरे,भयंकर धनुष धारण करनेवाले महारथी अश्वत्थामाने अपने हाथकी दृढ़ताका परिचय देते हुए गाण्डीवधारी अर्जुनकी छातीमें छः बाणोंसे प्रहार किया
sañjaya uvāca | drauṇir agāṇḍīvadhanañ ca bhīmadhanvā mahārathaḥ | avidhyad iṣubhiḥ ṣaḍbhir dṛḍhahastaḥ stanāntare ||
Sañjaya berkata: Aśvatthāman, pahlawan kereta yang agung, putera Droṇa—menggenggam busur yang menggerunkan—memperlihatkan keteguhan tangannya dengan memanah Arjuna, pemegang Gāṇḍīva, di bahagian dada dengan enam anak panah. Rangkap ini menegaskan peningkatan tanpa henti dalam kemahiran tempur dan ketahanan, di mana keperkasaan ditunjukkan melalui kekuatan yang terkawal, meskipun di tengah kegelapan moral perang saudara.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in the Kurukṣetra war, excellence and steadiness (dṛḍhahastatā) are displayed through disciplined action; yet the very need to prove prowess by wounding kin reminds the listener of the tragic ethical tension of kṣatriya-duty within a destructive conflict.
Sañjaya reports a specific exchange in battle: Aśvatthāman, renowned as Droṇa’s son and a great warrior, shoots six arrows at Arjuna (the wielder of the Gāṇḍīva), striking him in the chest area.