Shloka 23
Śalya-parva Adhyāya 26 — Duryodhana’s remnant formation and rapid engagements
सतु राजन् धनुश्कछित्त्वा पाण्डवस्य महामृथे । अथीैनं छिन्नथन्वानं विंशत्या समवाकिरत्,राजन्! उसने उस महासमरमें पाण्डुपुत्रके धनुषको काटकर कटे हुए धनुषवाले भीमसेनको बीस बाणोंसे घायल कर दिया
sa tu rājan dhanuś chittvā pāṇḍavasya mahāmṛdhe | athainaṃ chinnadhanvānaṃ viṃśatyā samavākirat ||
Sañjaya berkata: Wahai Raja, dalam pertempuran besar itu, dia memotong busur sang Pāṇḍava; kemudian, melihat Bhīmasena dengan busur yang telah terputus, dia menghujaninya dengan dua puluh anak panah, melukakannya di tengah keganasan perang. Peristiwa ini menegaskan bahawa dalam etika tempur kṣatriya, melumpuhkan senjata lawan ialah tindakan taktikal yang menentukan, namun pertarungan tetap berlanjut tanpa belas kasihan dalam batasan tata-aturan kepahlawanan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of decisive martial skill: disabling an opponent’s weapon can shift the battle’s balance, yet the struggle continues within the harsh, duty-bound framework of war where prowess and resolve are constantly tested.
In the midst of a major engagement, a warrior cuts the Pāṇḍava’s bow; then, as the Pāṇḍava stands with his bow severed, he is struck by a volley of twenty arrows.