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 disse: Ó Rei, naquele grande choque de batalha, ele cortou o arco do Pāṇḍava; e então, vendo-o com o arco decepado, cobriu-o com vinte flechas, ferindo-o no furor da guerra. O episódio ressalta que, na ética do combate kṣatriya, inutilizar a arma do oponente é um ato tático decisivo, e ainda assim a luta prossegue implacável dentro do código aceito da destreza no campo de batalha.
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.