Shloka 3
Duryodhana Seeks Droṇa’s Counsel; Imperative to Protect Jayadratha; Pāñcāla Assault on Duryodhana
त॑ चतुर्दशभि: पार्थश्रित्रपुड्खै: शिलाशितै: । अविध्यत् तूर्णमव्यग्रस्ते चा भ्रश्यन्त वर्मणि,तब व्यग्रतारहित अर्जुनने सानपर चढ़ाकर तेज किये हुए विचित्र पंखवाले चौदह बाणोंद्वारा तुरंत उसे घायल किया; परंतु उनके वे बाण दुर्योधनके कवचपर जाकर फिसल गये
taṁ caturdaśabhiḥ pārthaśitrapuṅkhaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ | avidhyat tūṇam avyagras te ca bhraśyanta varmaṇi ||
स तं चतुर्दशभिः पार्थः शिलाशितैः पत्रिभिर्बाणैः तूर्णमव्यग्रः समविध्यत्। ते च दुर्योधनस्य वर्मणि प्रतिहता भ्रश्यन्ति स्म॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined composure (avyagra) and swift effort, while also implying a battlefield ethic: strength alone may not succeed unless one finds the opponent’s vulnerable point; defence, preparedness, and timing shape outcomes.
Sañjaya narrates that Arjuna rapidly shoots fourteen stone-honed, ornamented-feather arrows at Duryodhana, but they fail to penetrate and instead slip off Duryodhana’s armour.