Shloka 283
Adhyāya 14: Śalya’s Missile-Pressure and the Pāṇḍava Convergence (शल्यस्य शरवर्षम्)
मृदुपूर्व ततश्वैनं पुन: पुनरताडयत् । शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले सव्यसाचीने अश्वत्थामाके घोड़े, सारथि एवं रथको चौपट कर दिया। फिर वे हलके हाथों बाण चलाकर बारंबार उसे घायल करने लगे
mṛdupūrvaṃ tataś cainaṃ punaḥ punar atāḍayat |
Sañjaya berkata: Mula-mula, setelah memukulnya dengan ringan, dia terus menyambar lagi dan lagi. Dalam tahap pertempuran ini, Savyasācī—yang menimpakan sengsara kepada musuh—telah menghancurkan kuda-kuda Aśvatthāmā, saisnya, dan keretanya. Kemudian dia melepaskan anak panah dengan tangan yang ringan, berulang kali melukainya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a morally charged aspect of warfare: skill can be used with restraint, yet restraint itself may serve cruelty when it prolongs suffering. It invites reflection on intention (bhāva) and proportionality in action, even within kṣatriya-duty.
Sañjaya describes a combat moment where a warrior first strikes the opponent lightly and then continues to strike repeatedly, indicating sustained pressure and domination rather than a single decisive blow.