Shloka 303
Śalya Appointed as Karṇa’s Sārathi; Discourse on Praise, Blame, and Beneficial Counsel (कर्णस्य शल्यसारथ्यं तथा स्तवनिन्दाविचारः)
शिखण्डिनं बाणगणै: स्कन्धदेशे व्यताडयत् । तदनन्तर शक्तिशाली कृतवर्माने बाण और प्रत्यंचा-सहित दूसरा धनुष हाथमें लेकर शिखण्डीके कंधोंपर अपने बाण-समूहोंद्वारा गहरी चोट पहुँचायी
śikhaṇḍinaṃ bāṇagaṇaiḥ skandhadeśe vyatāḍayat | tadanantaraṃ śaktiśālī kṛtavarmā bāṇa-pratyañcā-sahitaṃ dvitīyaṃ dhanuḥ hastam ānīya śikhaṇḍinaḥ skandhayoḥ sva-bāṇa-samūhaiḥ gāḍhaṃ vyathāṃ cakāra ||
Sañjaya berkata: Dia menghujani Śikhaṇḍin pada bahagian bahu dengan rentetan anak panah. Sejurus selepas itu, Kṛtavarmā yang perkasa mengangkat busur kedua—lengkap dengan anak panah dan tali busur yang tegang—lalu dengan gugusan anak panah yang rapat melukakan bahu Śikhaṇḍin dengan parah.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war drives rapid escalation—fighters replace weapons and intensify attacks without pause. Ethically, it invites reflection on the tension between kṣatriya duty (to fight with skill and resolve) and the human cost of violence, where efficiency in combat often deepens suffering.
Sañjaya reports that Śikhaṇḍin is struck on the shoulders by volleys of arrows. Kṛtavarmā, showing readiness and strength, takes up a second bow with its string and arrows and delivers a concentrated, painful barrage to Śikhaṇḍin’s shoulder area.