अध्याय ५३ — रणमेघोपमा सेना-वर्णना तथा सुषेण-वधोत्तर प्रतिक्रिया
Battle-as-Storm Imagery and the Aftermath of Suṣeṇa’s Fall
तमापतन्तं सहसा शरै: संनतपर्वभि: । छादयामास समरे तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्,उसे अपने ऊपर सहसा आक्रमण करते देख कृपाचार्यने झुकी हुई गाँठवाले बाणोंद्वारा समरांगणमें शिखण्डीको ढक दिया, यह अद्भुत-सी बात हुई
tam āpatantaṃ sahasā śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ | chādayāmāsa samare tad adbhutam ivābhavat ||
Disse Sañjaya: Vendo Śikhaṇḍin avançar de súbito para golpear, Kṛpācārya, no meio da batalha, cobriu-o com flechas de juntas recurvadas—um feito que pareceu quase maravilhoso no campo de guerra.
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores the value of trained composure and prompt, proportionate response in crisis: a master of arms meets sudden aggression with controlled skill. Ethically, it reflects the battlefield ideal where duty is executed through discipline rather than panic.
Śikhaṇḍin charges suddenly; Kṛpācārya counters by releasing a dense volley of arrows, effectively covering/obscuring Śikhaṇḍin on the battlefield—an impressive display noted by Sañjaya.