Shloka 9
Pāṇḍya-vadha-anantaram Arjunasya Pravṛttiḥ
Arjuna’s Response and the Renewed Battle
चर्माणि वर्माणि मनोरमाणि प्रियाणि सर्वाणि शिरांसि चैव । चिच्छेद पार्थों द्विषतां सुयुक्त- बणि: स्थितानामपराड्मुखानाम्
carmāṇi varmāṇi manoramāṇi priyāṇi sarvāṇi śirāṃsi caiva | ciccheda pārtho dviṣatāṃ suyukta-bāṇiḥ sthitānām aparāṅmukhānām ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ତାପରେ ସୁଯୁକ୍ତ ଓ ଅଚୁକ ବାଣଧାରୀ ପାର୍ଥ, ପିଠ ନ ଦେଖାଇ ସାମ୍ନାରେ ଦଢ଼ିଥିବା ଶତ୍ରୁମାନଙ୍କର ଢାଳ, ମନୋହର କବଚ, ପ୍ରିୟ ବସ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କର ମସ୍ତକ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ କାଟିଦେଲେ।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield ethic: opponents who do not flee (aparāṅmukha) are acknowledged as standing courageously, yet the warrior’s duty still drives decisive action. It reflects kṣatriya-dharma—valor, steadfastness, and lethal competence—while implicitly reminding the reader of war’s harsh moral cost.
Sañjaya narrates Arjuna’s onslaught: with expertly aimed arrows he severs the enemies’ defenses (shields, armor) and even their heads, emphasizing both Arjuna’s prowess and the intensity of the fighting in the Karṇa Parva.