Shloka 7
Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure
Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin
तमविध्यत् त्रिभिर्बाणैर्दन्दशूकैरिवाहिभि: । उग्रायुधसुतस्तस्य शिर: कायादपाहरत्,उस समय गग्रायुधके पुत्रने अत्यन्त डँस लेनेके स्वभाववाले सर्पोके समान तीन बाणोंद्वारा अर्जुनको बींध डाला। तब अर्जुनने उसके सिरको धड़से उतार लिया
tam avidhyat tribhir bāṇair dandaśūkair ivāhibhiḥ | ugrāyudhasutas tasya śiraḥ kāyād apāharat |
Sañjaya berkata: Putera Ugrāyudha menikamnya dengan tiga anak panah, bagaikan ular berbisa yang menyambar untuk menggigit. Arjuna membalas dengan memenggal kepalanya dari tubuh—tindakan pantas dan muktamad di tengah derasnya keganasan perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh logic of battlefield dharma: swift, skilled action and alertness are necessary for survival, and retaliation is immediate within the accepted code of warrior combat, even though the violence remains morally weighty.
Ugrāyudha’s son strikes Arjuna with three snake-like arrows; Arjuna answers instantly by cutting off his opponent’s head from the body.