Shloka 60
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
अथ पूर्णायतोत्सूष्टे: शरै: संनतपर्वभि: । व्यदारयेतामन्योन्यं प्राणद्यूते प्रवर्तिते
atha pūrṇāyatotsṛṣṭaiḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ | vyadārayetām anyonyaṃ prāṇadyūte pravartite ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana disse: Então, quando o jogo mortal prosseguia com a própria vida posta em aposta, os dois guerreiros dilaceravam-se com flechas disparadas de arcos retesados ao máximo—hastes cujas juntas nodosas se curvavam—e cada um buscava quebrar o outro naquele duelo implacável.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames battle as a 'prāṇadyūta'—a wager of life—highlighting the ethical gravity of violence: once such a contest is set in motion, skill and resolve operate within a ruthless economy where life is the stake, underscoring the peril inherent in kṣatriya conflict.
Two opposing warriors are engaged in intense archery combat. With bows drawn to the full and arrows released, they mutually wound and pierce each other, as the fight proceeds like a life-or-death gamble.